Your Time Magazine Sunshine Coast - October 2025

NEVER have to go to a nursing home

RETIREMENT TODAY is filled with healthcare difficulties!!

You or your Loved Ones maybe extremely fit and healthy currently but may still suffer mental and physical illnesses such as Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Cancer, Stroke, Broken limbs from falls late at night going to the bathroom and laying on the floor with no help for hours, Depression due to isolation and Loneliness without warning.

If you or your Parents are suddenly affected the current Hospital overcrowding, ramping and waiting times create enormous problems getting treatment with family members having to provide care for you destroying their lives as well. The Scarisbrick International Group its associated companies can provide 6-Star Luxury “In-Home” Care Services in your own

home as they have been doing for over 10 years in Australia. From 1 hour per month to 24/7, our Specialist Staff will take care of you or your Loved Ones in their OWN HOMES so that they NEVER have to go to a Nursing Home.

We can provide a full-time live-in Caregiver to do the cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, companionship and 24-hour caregiving as needed to ensure your life is comfortable as possible – accompanying you on recreational and shopping trips, gardening, walking the dog – anything that you require!!

We also provide a Fully Experienced Registered Nurse to visit regularly to check on your wellness, medications and vital health signs.

As an essay and assignment nerd, I spent much of my teens and early adulthood in libraries.

The school libraries at Stafford Primary and Kedron High were well resourced for their time, but I’d also catch the 172 bus north along Gympie Road to the old Chermside Library for research and the occasional romance or adventure novel.

For three years, the University of Queensland Undergraduate Library was my home away from home, where I was ‘shushed’ incessantly when accompanied by friends and where 5-cent photocopies were the saving grace of my degree.

But I’ve rarely ventured forth into the Dewey Decimal Classification system since. I’m not sure why. I used to love wandering up and down, aisle upon aisle, of fiction, non-fiction, encyclopaedias and periodicals.

For most of my working life, though, I’ve been content to visit libraries only for occasional research and staff interviews.

If I wanted a holiday novel or sport personality’s biography as a gift, I walked into a bookstore.

When Google came along, almost all the background research, facts and figures we

needed were at our fingertips – literally!

And that’s exactly why libraries had to change – and did. They have become so much more than places to house hard copies of the written word.

They are community hubs, where you can access computers and other technology, find help to get started on lifestyle pursuits such as gardening and painting through workshops, take part in school holiday activities with the grandkids, improve your employment skills – the list goes on.

I know this. I’ve written about innovations such as seed library resources.

But a casual conversation with my daughter-in-law on the way to dinner the other night has convinced me that I need to return to the library fold.

Not only did she say she visited Kawana Library regularly to check out novels (much cheaper than buying them), she also was very familiar with the Mobile Library (even more convenient). If it’s good enough for a 30-year-old, it’s good enough for me.

So, if you want to learn more about all the ‘secrets’ today’s libraries hold, turn to page 4 for Stephanie Hunt’s cover story that might open up a whole new world for you.

October is also Queensland Seniors Month and we have a wealth of ideas and activities in our special feature to celebrate being you. Enjoy the big read!

Shirley Sinclair Editor

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Open your eyes to a world of endless opportunities – for free

Sewing machines, computers, children’s toys, mahjong, planning your own funeral – what do they have in common? STEPHANIE HUNT says the answer might surprise you.

If your image of the local library is one of rows of uninspiring book spines on metal shelves, study desks and a stern-faced librarian who hisses “ssshhh” at regular intervals, it’s time to trade in that outdated view for a vibrant new chapter.

Today’s libraries are dynamic community hubs, brimming with innovation and possibility, and filled with a vast array of resources to help you connect to the world and each other.

Even better, most services are free. You’ll find 33 council-supported

libraries across Brisbane and 10 in the Sunshine Coast. These are complemented by additional services, with each one reflecting the needs and interests of the community in which it resides.

So, you’re sure to find something to spark your creativity.

Amy McCarthy, brand and audience engagement senior officer with Sunshine Coast Libraries, explains that “our branch staff know their community best” and tailor the offerings “to what the community wants”.

That’s why Menopause Matters, Let’s

Talk About Death (to plan your own farewell) and Decluttering have been popular workshops across Coast branches recently.

Then there’s the regular sessions on technology assistance, preserving old movies, music or photos to digital format, plus book clubs. Throw in family history help, author talks and art classes and your week is filled.

Brisbane City Council Libraries have so many programs and events on offer that they publish a What’s On guide every two months to help you keep track of it all.

Brisbane Councillor Sarah Hutton, chair for customer services, says visiting a library is so much more than books.

“It’s an opportunity to stay active and engaged, meet new people, explore new technologies and enjoy lifelong learning,” she says.

Some of the quirkier programs featured recently (and not what most people expect to see at a library) included: Sashiko Embroidery; Fermented Food; and Native Stingless Bees And How To Keep Them.

Regular sessions on gardening, craft, retro board games and writing are held at various branches.

Need help with social media, smartphones or streaming? Join a Tea and Tech session to relax while you gain digital skills. Adults with diverse abilities are also catered for, with sensory-friendly sessions and creative workshops.

If you are one of the two-in-five grandparents with grand-babysitting duties (according to the Families in Australia Survey Report, July 2022) and need inspiration, check out Sunshine Coast Libraries’ toy library for indoor activities, or the 10 artistically designed Story Seats in local parks for outdoor literacy experiences.

Each eye-catching seat encourages reading, conversation and fun.

In Brisbane, take your grandchild to various parks across the CBD and participate in outdoor storytime sessions, thanks to the council’s Pop-up Libraries.

If you want to start a new hobby but don’t want to buy the expensive equipment, or perhaps you just don’t have the storage space, a visit to the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) is sure to open your eyes to a world of opportunities. With free membership for Queensland residents, you can access regular library services, plus a whole lot more.

For innovative facilities, workshops and specialised equipment, check out SLQ’s The Edge. Join regular meet-ups to learn new skills or get hands-on with digital and fabrication tools such as podcast equipment and laser cutters.

Craig, 64, was keen to make a few moderations to his caravan.

“It’s great. I didn’t have to buy my own 3D printer for a few simple projects,” he says.

His wife Steph uses the sewing machine for odd jobs because “the induction fee was a lot less than paying for a new machine”.

“We have a great day out, grab a coffee at the café here, and bring home finished projects,” she says.

But if you just want to read, libraries do still have you covered.

Donald, 80, visits Garden City Library every day to keep up with current affairs. He selects from a large range of local, state and national newspapers, chooses a comfy lounge chair and settles in.

“I don’t have to buy the papers,” he grins.

“It saves me a lot of money”.

Cr Hutton sums it up: “Our libraries play a vital role in creating more to see and do for residents of all ages.

“They bring people together, reduce isolation and help keep our communities strong and connected.”

MAKE a visit

SUNSHINE COAST LIBRARIES

TO FIND out what’s on, new releases, library news or to search the catalogue, visit library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

For locations, contact details and opening hours for each branch, go to library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/visit/ library-locations

To learn about Story Seats and their locations, visit library.sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au/visit/story-seats

BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL LIBRARIES

TO FIND out about library locations, membership, facilities and services and to access the online catalogue, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-andfacilities/libraries

To explore the libraries and their facilities, features and services, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-andfacilities/libraries/library-locations

For book club information, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au/libraries-venues-andfacilities/libraries/library-events-andprograms#join

A NEW era in libraries began on the Sunshine Coast last month.

Library+ Caloundra has emerged as a state-of-the-art district library and community space in the former Caloundra administration building.

BOOK clubs

THE THOUGHT of book clubs might give you flashbacks to tedious afternoons spent analysing Macbeth, The Great Gatsby or The Crucible with a bunch of classmates.

But to immerse yourself in a regular habit of reading, book clubs are a great way to go – and they don’t have to be boring. They can provide other benefits, too, such as developing social connections, experiencing new genres and engaging in conversation to express your point of view.

Northern NSW-based Pub Club book club members list social aspects, intellectual stimulation, light-hearted chatter and fun as key reasons they’ve

been meeting monthly for more than three years.

Amy McCarthy, from Sunshine Coast Libraries, says some book clubs are only social, if that’s what the members want.

Pub Club members don’t always go deep into the writer’s hidden message, either, but they do always share travel and life stories and sometimes a meal.

It’s all about finding the right book club for you.

And if you don’t like the book you’re meant to discuss, don’t worry.

Michael, a regular book club participant, says that “discussing bad books is the most fun you’ll have in a book club”.

Keen to try but don’t know how to start? Ask at your local library.

STATE LIBRARY OF QUEENSLAND

STATE Library of Queensland is the public reference and research library for Queensland.

It is operated by the state government and located on Stanley Place, South Brisbane.

Find out more at slq.qld.gov.au

To learn about The Edge, visit slq.qld.gov.au/visit/spaces/edge/ facilities-and-equipment

The $45.4 million, purpose-built facility is a hub for learning, connection and engagement, ready to meet the diverse needs of library users now and into the future.

As well as a variety of seating options (pictured below), including a quiet lounge, booths and outdoor covered area, the complex boasts:

• two digital studios with audio and video recording equipment and editing software

• creative spaces for hands-on library programs and kids’ activities

• an exhibition space showcasing local and regional displays

• a community jigsaw puzzle table

• a ground-floor coffee shop

• 10 meeting rooms and multiple Library+ venues for the community to book. Learn more at library.sunshinecoast.qld. gov.au/visit/library-caloundra

What’s

What to book

THE Honey Sliders have built a following across Australia by paying homage to some of the world’s favourite artists and enduring, chart-topping albums for our nostalgic enjoyment. The experienced outfit is a project for three-time ARIA Award nominated singer-songwriter Danny Widdicombe. The rock, soul, country, blues act also features Dan Mansfie (You Am I, The Gin Club), Chris Bosley (Resin Dogs) and Ben Carstens (Mexico City). The lads will be at The Princess Theatre, Woolloongabba, on Friday, October, 17, at 7pm for the Songs from 1975 show (ticketmaster.com.au). And tickets are already selling fast at The Events Centre, Caloundra, for Neil Young’s Harvest on Friday, February 13. at 7.30pm (theeventscentre.com.au).

What to watch

GYMPIE’S much-loved Heart of Gold International Short Film Festival returns in 2025, celebrating this creative art form. From October 9-12, the festival will transform the CBD into an arts precinct over four days. More than 25 curated sessions of short films from around the globe will sit in the program alongside free events, live music, art and opportunities to connect with filmmakers. With humble beginnings in 2006, the internationally recognised event has grown into one of the biggest short film festivals in Australia, taking place in an authentic country destination. Highlights for 2025 include: Go Gold Block Party – October 9, a free community celebration of film and music to kick off the festival; Opening Night Gala – October 10, a glittering evening of film, music and food; a premiere screening of a film about local music duo Those Folk with a special performance in Gympie Cinema – October 11; Awards Ceremony – October 11; and the Comedy Night Special – October 11. Visit heartofgold.com.au/2025-program

What to read

THIS year marks 25 years of author Fiona McIntosh, who has 47 books published and an unmatched literary career spanning historical fiction, crime, fantasy and children’s fiction. Her literary efforts have made her Australia’s seventh-bestselling fiction writer, with well beyond a million copies sold. Her latest historical drama, The Soldier’s Daughter, is a captivating tale of family, bravery and legacy. Fans have eagerly awaited the return of Charlie Nash, whose story was first told in the 2020 bestseller The Champagne War. Set between Champagne in France, Speyside in Scotland, where the finest Scotch whisky makers call home, and Richmond in Tasmania, this sequel promises to delve deeper into Charlie’s journey and that of daughter and talented whisky maker in her own right, Violet. McIntosh will speak at North Lakes Library on Thursday, October 9, at 6.30pm (moretonbay.qld.gov.au/libraries/Events/Meet-Author/Meet-TheAuthor/BWF-Fiona-McIntosh) and has events at the Brisbane Writers Festival this month (bwf.org.au).

Back in the day…

IT WAS a wholesome musical sitcom for the ages and it brought together some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names. The Partridge Family aired in the US on ABC from September 1970 to March 1974 and was a smash hit with Australian TV audiences, too, for its quirky comedy and pop anthems. Academy Award winner Shirley Jones put her vocal talents to use with real-life stepson David Cassidy for the TV series (the launchpad for his hitmaking singing career and status as a teen heart-throb). The four seasons and 96 episodes centred on a fictional pop band of the same name, born out of the family garage. And it’s still hard to resist singing along when retro-loving radio stations play some of the memorable hits from the series including I Think I Love You and the Come On Get Happy theme song.

What to do for free

STRIP off the jacket, reveal some skin in your shorts and T-shirts and soak up a little sunshine – it’s spring, after all. It costs nothing to walk or cycle neighbourhood paths, stroll among civic garden beds or picnic by the river with family and friends. You don’t need any excuse – just a desire to finally leave winter behind. And spots such as Mt Coot-tha, New Farm Park and Highgate Hill in Brisbane, La Balsa Park/Point Cartwright, Coolum’s Tickle Park, Mary Cairncross Reserve at Maleny and Buderim Forest Park are only too happy to oblige.

GOLD COINS

• Australian $200 Gold Coins

• Sovereigns

• World proof coins and sets

• Half sovereigns

• Commemorative Coins

• Gold Coins: mounted, holed or worn

Coins nd d ns hol WATCHES

• Gold medals and fobs • All other world gold coins

• All Rolex watches (including Oyster, Submariner, Daydate and Datejust)

• All Omega (including Seamaster and Consellation)

• Tudor and Breitling

• Gold chains

• Gold bracelets

• Gold rings

• Bullion bars

• Gold earrings

• Gold necklaces

• Nuggets and alluvial gold

• Worn and broken gold jewellery

• Mechanical (automatic and wind up)

SILVER COINS

• Gold and silver pocket watches

• Military pocket watches

g d s

• No quartz / battery watches

• All world coins

• Collection and accumulation

• Error and mis-strikes

• Proof sets and singles

• Trade tokens

• All Perth Mint and Royal Australian Mint sets

• Australian - Crowns, Florins, Shillings, Six Pences,Three Pences, 1966 50 cent rounds

• South Africa, USA & Canada

• NZ, Great Britain, Fiji

• New Guinea Shillings

• Misc Silver Coins

• All Other World silver coins

JEWELLERY

• Rings & brooches

• Watch chains and lockets

• Gold cuff links

• Bracelets and bangles

• Necklaces and all broken jewellery

• Pendants and sovereign cases

Shillings, Six Pences, Three all broken jewellery

Retiree GARRY REYNOLDS shares his thoughts on the world around us.

SOME THINGS IN LIFE ARE WORTH THE RISK

DELUGED by the mega-rich highlighting their wealth in massive displays of conspicuous consumption, it is reassuring to see the humble alternative provided by Warren Buffet.

Buffet lives comfortably and frugally as he plans to give away 99 per cent of his fortune of $150billion to philanthropic causes. Typically, it is not through building a costly, bureaucratic, egoworshipping foundation in his own name but by supporting the established Bill Gates Foundation.

Buffet is generous in sharing his insights gained not just from making plenty of money but also helping others manage risk. Aged 94, he says wryly: “Never test the depth of the river with both feet.”

He cautions: “Taking no risks can be your biggest risk. You have to risk failure to succeed. If you risk nothing, you gain nothing. If you live avoiding risk, you’re risking missing out on life. Risk

management is not about eliminating risks. It is about understanding and managing them. Your biggest risk comes from not knowing what you’re doing. The more you learn, the more you earn.

“The most important investment you can make is in yourself and that others will treat you the way you treat yourself.”

True to his word, Buffet spends five hours a day reading books and magazines, rather than being in corporate meetings.

He sticks to his frugal mantras, including: “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving and if you buy things you don’t need, soon you will have to sell things you do need.”

Restrained in his lifestyle, unlike other billionaires, he is also restrained in his emotions. “You will continue to suffer if you have an emotional reaction to everything that is said to you,” Buffet says.

“True power is sitting back and observing everything with logic. True power is restraint. If words control you, that means that everyone else can control you. Breathe and allow things to pass. A happy person lives longer.”

But Buffet is not entirely unemotional and believes you must risk heartbreak to love.

Moreton steams through to its 125th year

AUDIENNE BLYTH delves into the history of a special locomotive that has served the Sunshine Coast well.

The Ginger Factory at Yandina recently held a birthday party for Moreton, originally a steam locomotive, built in Germany in 1901.

In 1905, Moreton was the first locomotive used by the Moreton Central Sugar Mill in Nambour, replacing teams of horses in hauling wagons of cane. Steam haulage disappeared by 1970 and was replaced by diesel locomotives. By then, Moreton had been decommissioned.

Entrepreneurs Ross and Jenny Robertson restored the old loco and added some carriages. A diesel-hydraulic engine replaced steam. By 1992, Moreton had a new purpose: hauling carriages of tourists with a commentary about the cane and ginger industries.

The Ginger Factory, which processes ginger for the Buderim Ginger Company, was established in 1979 when the early factory at Buderim needed to expand. It was opened by then premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen in 1980. Its most famous guests were Prince

Charles and Princess Diana, who visited the factory in 1983.

Ginger as a productive crop was first grown on Buderim where the climate and soil were deemed suitable. By 1929, the Ginger Growers Association was formed. In World War II, shortages of the rhizome meant the growing of ginger locally was worthwhile. The Buderim Ginger Factory was built for processing in 1942.

Factory handyman Maurie

Richards recalls: “Buderim in those years was a quiet country town with farms where most of the ginger was grown. Cows roamed the streets and would often eat your garden flowers.

“The factory ran 24 hours a day processing ginger, which was mostly manual work.

“Local farmers wanting to supplement their incomes worked the night shift. The company joined with Warrys, of Maryborough, to produce the

Merrybud brand. In season, two to three tonnes of strawberries might arrive daily. Women worked as sorters.

“Cans on conveyor belts received the fresh strawberries and syrup with a colourant. Mick Mead was the cook and he was the best jam maker. There was a staff of 60. The local police would arrive almost daily, saying there had been complaints about the trucks blocking the street outside the factory. As well, tourist buses delivered, at peak times, 1000 visitors a day.”

Geoff Shrapnel was the general manager for 20 years from 1954 to 1974 and, under his guidance, research, supply and finances improved. Success was attributed to him and Doris Marbech. Other production pioneers were: Vince Crosby, Daphne McKeiver, Harry Ham and Alan Templeton.

Audienne Blyth is a member of the Nambour Historical Museum, open 1-4pm Wednesdays to Fridays, and 10am-3pm on Saturdays.

SEE COAST’S 2026 HERITAGE CALENDAR

A PAPIER mâché chicken, a surf carnival and some interesting ’80s fashion.

All this and more can be found in the 2026 Sunshine Coast Heritage Calendar.

The calendar offers a nostalgic glimpse of Sunshine Coast life from the 1950s-’80s, as well as some of the quirkier memories in the region’s history.

The collection honours the photographic legacy of Bill Robinson who, after serving in World War II, settled in Tewantin and built a photography business that spanned decades and locations across the Coast.

The calendar features a curated selection from Bill’s extensive archive – images which were donated to the Nambour Library and digitised over a 30-year period, thanks to the Sunshine Coast Arts & Heritage Levy.

The 2026 Sunshine Coast Heritage Calendar costs $5 and is available now at Sunshine Coast libraries and council offices.

A LEGACY OF LIGHT, LEADERSHIP AND LOVE

ONE of the most influential figures in the history of Australian healthcare, Sister Angela Mary Doyle RSM AO has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Sister Angela Mary left her native Ireland in the spring of 1947 to devote her life to helping others through teaching. Instead, she became one of the most pivotal figures in Australian healthcare.

Sister Angela Mary served as Mater’s sister administrator (chief executive) from 1966–1987 and is regarded as one of the most respected figures in Mater’s history.

A progressive and visionary leader, Sister Angela Mary oversaw the huge expansion of Mater, including the opening of the new Mater Hospital Brisbane at South Brisbane in 1981, and the growth of Mater Mothers’ Hospital to become the largest maternity service in the Southern Hemisphere.

Sister Angela Mary’s influence and reputation extend far and wide. She is admired across a broad and diverse community for her tireless advocacy, compassion and unwavering commitment to Mater’s mission.

in her legacy, the Mater Little Miracles Research Centre for mothers and babies is an ambitious project that will honour Sister Angela Mary well beyond her 100th birthday.

The centre invests in the future of maternal and neonatal care through transformational research.

sisterangelamary100.com.au

Easy, Affordable Pre-loved Homes

•

Life in the slow lane

By Mocco Wollert

THE dreaded day had finally arrived. The end of my freedom. The end of being mobile and the realisation that, finally and irreversibly, I was old.

You might have guessed it. I sold my car – my trusted companion for the past 10 years.

While I am sad, I am also glad that I had the sense to stop driving. After all, I am 91.

The catalyst came on a sunny Saturday morning at my shopping centre. I drove up for a morning coffee with a friend and a bit of shopping. It was busy. Very busy. But luckily, the disabled car slot was unoccupied.

As my doctor had given me a disabled sticker, I happily parked in these special and wider lots, close to the main store. It certainly made it easier to get my shopping into the car.

I somehow felt that, at my age, I deserved it.

I put the car in reverse and eased out of my slot. Suddenly, there was a car beside me, waiting to take my park.

Another car was behind me and

people were walking everywhere.

I especially became conscious of small children, ignoring their mothers’ calls, running between cars. The sun was in my eyes and suddenly I had the feeling that I was not 100 per cent in control of my car.

I also remembered the story on the news that morning that a 91-year-old woman had killed an elderly couple in a shopping centre carpark. She had mistaken the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal.

Bad design. Those two pedals should not be close together and accidents could be avoided. They should think of us oldies when designing cars.

I could hear the voices of my two daughters in my head saying, “It is time to stop driving.”

In contrast, I could hear the voices of friends, loud and clear: “Whatever you do, don’t

give up your car. You’ll lose your independence.”

Independence is something I had so fiercely guarded in the past.

My doctor grinned from ear to ear: “Good decision, Mocco.”

He was obviously relieved.

My yearly medical driving certificate was nearly due again.

My daughters were full of praise: “Well done, mum.”

Now, I am re-arranging my life in the truest sense of the word.

My monthly diary is still filled with appointments, but I can no longer drive there myself. So, other arrangements will have to be made.

It will take some time to weed out what is important and what I will have to let go ... like my spur-ofthe-moment dash for a coffee at the coffee shop.

Will I really survive without it? Of course I will – sort of.

Then there is the scooter: a motorised buggy, used by quite a few people in my retirement village.

I swore I would never have one of those. They were for old people. Really old people. But lately, I catch myself looking at scooter ads and thinking about colours.

May you never mistake the accelerator pedal for the brake pedal.

Email mocco.wollert@bigpond.com

WISHLIST GEM

By Cheryl Lockwood

HERE we are into springtime and, hopefully, well and truly prepared for the dreaded black-and-white flying missiles that can fill a peaceful stroll with fear.

I’m referring, of course, to the humble magpies which, for a short period each year, turn into sharp-beaked, terrifying weapons.

We all know that they are simply protecting their turf, where their nests house eggs and chicks. Sometimes, I think they have spent the year lulling us into a false sense of security with their sweet warbling so they can suddenly practise the sport of swooping.

They excel at snapping their beaks as close as possible to exposed ears and eyes. Mostly, the result is a fright, but they’ve been known to cause injury and even death.

What’s your plan of defence? Suggestions include carrying an umbrella or stick over your head or wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses.

Bike riders get creative, adorning helmets with streamers and zip ties, making a spiky barrier.

An ice-cream container with eyes drawn on is cheap and simple and doubles as a fashion accessory.

I read of someone who claims he has not been swooped since warbling and whistling at them. Clearly, this guy is a magpie whisperer.

Of all the foreign languages I’d like to learn,

speaking magpie was not on the list.

My reaction, when caught off-guard at the beginning of the season, is usually shaking my fist and cursing.

This does nothing, as they generally turn and come in for a second or third go.

Another tip is to avoid their nesting areas. This works best … as does taking the car, although this defeats the purpose if you intended your walk to be your daily exercise.

We are told that magpies are intelligent and can recognise faces of people, particularly those who live in their area.

This is true, as on walks around my neighbourhood, they often leave me alone, content to keep a wary eye on my movements.

It would be even better if they could recognise that I have neither the intention nor ability to climb the tree they call home.

On a road trip when my children were young, we stopped for a break at a rest area.

My daughter, wearing a lovely new dress, was quickly swooped upon by the resident maggies.

She rarely wore the dress after that, thinking that the magpies were attracted to its beauty.

Naturally, we tried to explain that the dress was not a magnet for the angry birds and they did not always behave in this manner, but she wouldn’t have a bar of it.

At any other time of the year, I love these feathered friends and have enjoyed their presence on my veranda until the dog shooed them away from his doggy bowl.

I’ll wish you luck and leave you with a poem about the determined creatures, titled: Twitter

Their squawking plea from lofty tree, Their feathers fuss and flitter.

My threatless walk ’neath their domain, Gives beady eyes a glitter.

A flash of white and black in flight,

All nasty chirp and chitter.

A pointed spear finds fleshy ear,

My thoughts turn sour and bitter.

A sweeping arc once more past,

Then lands; a bold fence-sitter.

I shake a fist at wretched bird, My words akin to litter.

The male bird his instinct stirred, He surely is no quitter.

His focus then on just one job,

To guard his baby critter.

Magpie season robs my reason And brings a nervous titter. My stroll becomes impromptu sprint And a wish that I was fitter! Visit lockwoodfreelance.com

The future looks bright with 5G routers ...

but not just yet

EDIN READ brings out his crystal ball and looks into the advanced internet capabilities that are coming soon to a neighbourhood near you.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on the advertisements lately, you’ve probably noticed plenty of excitement around 5G internet.

This article does not pertain to mobile phone connections, but rather home internet connections.

But the promise is tempting: fast, cable-free internet for your home, delivered through a small router that connects to the same mobile phone towers your smartphone uses.

In theory, it sounds like the ideal solution: no digging up the street for cables and no waiting around for technicians. Just plug it in and off you go.

But in my experience, 5G routers aren’t quite good enough yet to replace the reliable services most of us depend on.

Let’s start with what 5G actually is.

Think of it as the next step up from 4G – the mobile signal that powers most people’s phones.

A 5G router takes that same signal and shares it with your household devices –your computer, tablet or smart TV – just like a regular modem does with the NBN.

When everything lines up properly, it can be very quick. But that little phrase “when everything lines up” is where the reality starts to wobble.

Coverage is still patchy. Even in city areas, I often see connections dropping in and out.

Speeds can vary dramatically, depending on the time of day, how many people are using the towers or even the weather. That makes it unpredictable, which is the last thing you want if you’re halfway through a video call with the grandkids or streaming a favourite show.

Advertisements make it sound like 5G will instantly transform your internet.

But in practice, it still feels more like a work in progress.

Right now, the safer bet for most households is to stick with the NBN or, if you’re in a rural or regional area, consider Starlink.

The NBN may not be perfect, but it relies on a physical cable running to your home, which gives it stability. You don’t get the same sudden dropouts that mobile towers can cause.

Starlink, on the other hand, uses satellites orbiting the Earth to beam internet down to your property. It’s been a game changer for people in areas where the NBN hasn’t been up to scratch, although the cost is still on the higher side and you need to set up a dish.

Does that mean 5G is a waste of time? Not at all.

In fact, I have no doubt that 5G – or its next generation and perhaps satellite internet as well – will eventually become the everyday solution.

The technology is moving quickly.

More towers are being installed, coverage maps are filling in and the equipment is improving with every release.

For those who want to experiment, a 5G router can work as a back-up or even as a portable option if you travel a lot with a caravan. But for the average household, it’s not quite at the stage where I’d recommend ditching your current service.

My advice is simple: don’t rush. Stick with what you know works – NBN or Starlink – and keep an eye on 5G as it develops.

In the world of technology, patience often pays off.

What feels clunky and unreliable today is very likely to be smooth and seamless tomorrow.

The key is not to let the marketing hype pressure you into a change before the technology is ready for you.

So for now, my recommendation is to hold steady.

Use the service that keeps you reliably connected, and know that the future is on its way: 5G has enormous potential.

But until it proves itself in real-world homes, day after day, it’s best kept as ‘one to watch’ rather than ‘one to rely on’.

Edin Read is founder and chief technician at Greyology Tech Support for Seniors. Visit greyology.com.au

Never bin your bat teries

A whole new life. Over-50s living redefined.

GemLife over-50s lifestyle resorts. Coming soon.

GemLife offers luxury resort-style living with premium lifestyle facilities on your doorstep.

No entry fees, exit fees or stamp duty

Friendly community

Pets welcome

Gated neighbourhood

Extensive premium facilities

Luxury homes

Caravan and boat storage*

Retain your capital gain

Ageing-in-place solutions

Ph: 1800 835 926

*Terms & conditions apply

What’s changed in the popular BT-50 range, 10 years on?

BRUCE McMAHON takes a good look at the 2025 version of the Mazda model, and wonders whether a little too much focus has been put on family car buyers.

While the Mazda BT-50 of 2025 is a solid dual cab ute, our dinged and muddied 10-yearold version is still much appreciated. Could the latest BT-50 take its place?

In 2015, the BT-50 was a Ford Ranger clone: same mechanicals but different body styles.

And while much was made (rightly so) of Ford Australia’s engineering on that model, there was fair input from Mazda (after all, from 1998 to 2011, one-tonne Ford utes were simply re-badged Mazdas).

That changed in 2022 when Ford went off with VW for the next version of the Ranger and the Mazda was then based on Isuzu’s redoubtable D-Max utes.

Now, the current BT-50 is a decent four-wheel drive.

Isuzu has long engineered and built good machines, while Mazda’s long had a reputation for premium exterior and interior design and finishes.

It is a good combination, if perhaps not quite to the on- and off-road standards of today’s Ford Rangers.

There’s plenty of competition in dual cab ute ranks with the BYD Shark, JAC Hunter and Foton Tunland arriving alongside the Deepal Multitrack with retractable roof – turning it from ute to SUV at the touch of a button.

That’s on top of the long-awaited Kia Tasman and with Ford’s Super Duty Rangers still to come, plus an MG ute.

Despite this competitive field, the Mazda BT-50 and its three-litre, turbocharged diesel engine holds up pretty well with 140kW of power and 450Nm of torque.

The Isuzu-donated chassis and mechanicals, including six-speed auto and two-speed transfer case, are the basis for a strong workhorse.

RETURN OF THE KRAUSS

FOR more than 25 years from 1914, the whistle of the train could be heard climbing the western escarpment of Buderim Mountain three decades before the village even had electricity.

The Krauss locomotive, one of two trains operating from 1914 to 1935, ran from Palmwoods station to Buderim, winding its way through orchards, farmland and rainforest areas of Chevallum, Forest Glen, Mons, Telco, Glenmount and Guy Sidings.

In 2003, a dedicated group of enthusiasts formed a steering committee under the name Buderim-Palmwoods Heritage Tramway Inc. (BPHTI). Over the next 20 years, their passion and perseverance led to the restoration of Buderim’s beloved locomotive, Krauss By this December, the fully restored

CALOUNDRA FAMILY HISTORY

Krauss will be ready for public display in a dedicated glass building adjoining the Old Post Office on Burnett Street, Buderim. This historic train is a symbol of the pioneers who built the village and helped shaped the region’s early days. Check for updates at: facebook.com/BPHTI

The thing is, as durable and workman-like as the Mazda’s Isuzusupplied powertrain may be, it sounds a tad agricultural compared with the five-cylinder Ford engine in older BT-50s.

There’s more grumble on start-up.

It’s harsher under early acceleration.

Yet, it can climb well beyond highway speed limits with decent smoothness.

As with the Isuzu donor, the Mazda’s ride, road holding and steering responses are good, if lacking that extra refinement found in the Ranger and its Volkswagen cousin or even the well-mannered Mitsubishi Tritons.

It is off-road capable, too, although some versions would do better with off-road-focused tyres.

Where the Mazda shades the D-Max is in the cabin with plusher, more premium materials and style. It looks more 2025.

The trouble is that this business of attracting more families leads to the loss of utility further up the BT-50 range.

For example, the SP version, from $71,500, has a cosmetic sports bar and roller tonneau cover with storage that takes up space at the front of the tub.

When closed, there’s not enough height for a regular 20-litre jerry can to stand.

Just two tie-downs in the rear corners of the tub don’t help when tying a load (or a dog) down. And that sail plane out back gives off a bit of wind noise.

So, with a Lotto win, the 2025 BT-50 would be considered (alongside the Mitsubishi Triton) just a mid-range unit with fewer frills.

That mud-splattered, dog-drooled 2015 version still does a good job, though an updated infotainment unit with Apple CarPlay would be appreciated.

THE next Caloundra Family History meeting will feature genealogist, author and researcher Helen Smith. ‘Timelines as a Genealogical Tool’ will explain how organising your research chronologically will bring any errors to light, showcase what other members of the family are doing, which gaps need filling and where these family events sit within history. The meeting will be at 1.30pm on October 16. Call Cathy on 0411 881 745.

Visit caloundrafamilyhistory.org.au

VOLUNTEER AT MUSEUM

IF YOU have a few hours to spare and would like to be of service in your local community, Nambour Museum is seeking volunteers to help keep this much-loved historical icon up and running.

Men and women of all ages and skillsets are most welcome to assist with tasks, including reception, visitor engagement, maintaining exhibits, research and computer work, gardening and general maintenance.

While the museum is open Wednesday to Friday from 1-4pm and on Saturday from 10am- 3pm, volunteers can opt to spend all or part of the day helping out.

Call 5441 2119 or email nambourmuseum@gmail.com

SCULPTURE GARDEN

THE spectacular annual Sculpture Garden exhibition is at Buderim Craft Cottage from Saturday, October 11, to Sunday, October 19, with the second exhibition weekend coinciding with Buderim’s Spring Garden Festival.

It will showcase about 200 works by artists from all over the Sunshine Coast and is open daily from 9am to 4pm at the Atrium Gallery, 5 Main Street, Buderim (between the Buderim War Memorial Hall and St Mark’s Church).

Entry is free.

BUDERIM Contract Bridge Club president Greg O’Connor has presented the Pairs 2025 trophy to winners Ted and Marilyn at the clubhouse at 2 Ballinger Park Service Road.

The cards were challenging, and much frustration was experienced by the 48 players, with 24 pairs vying for the title of Pairs Champions. Afternoon tea brought hope into the mix that the cards would get better, but it came down to the wire when, on the final day, numbers were counted and Ted and Marilyn came out victors.

Visit buderimbridgeclub.com

NATIVE Plants Queensland is holding a plant market at the Maleny Showgrounds on October 11, from 9am to 3pm.

This is your chance to buy a wide variety of plants directly from growers specialising in natives.

Popular and rare plants for all situations and garden types are well priced and expert advice is available on the day.

Entry and parking are free and a coffee van will be on site.

Sign up for updates and to be advised of the list of available plants at npq.org. au and facebook.com/NativePlantsQld

Buying Now

Mike and Nate Cornish will be in the Sunshine Coast for 6 days only, from October 20th to 25th. We want to buy your unwanted items as listed. Please visit us at one of the venues shown below. These events are often compared to the ‘Antiques Roadshow’ on TV, but without the long queues. Don’t miss this opportunity! If you live outside the area, have too many items to bring in, or would like a home visit, phone Nate on 0426 820 646 NOW to arrange a time.

Fully Licensed Antique, Numismatic, and Precious Metal Buyers with over 45 years Industry Experience. Security Supplied by Security International Limited.

Are you moving or downsizing? Are you worried about security? Unwanted coins? Any jewellery, incl damaged? Do they sit in a drawer or cupboard? Are you no longer collecting? Are the family not interested?

Would the money be more of use to you?

TUESDAY 21ST OCT

Club Kawana (Boardroom) 10:00am – 1:00pm 476 Nicklin Way, Wurtulla

Visits

Caloundra RSL (Sub Branch Lounge, in the main club) 10:00am – 2:00pm 19 West Terrace, Caloundra

Visits 1:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

Coolum Surf Club (Conference Room) 10:00am – 12:00pm

2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit Palmwoods Memorial Hall (Supper Room) 1:00pm – 3:00pm 1 Main St, Palmwoods

WEDNESDAY 22ND OCT THURSDAY 23RD OCT Home Visits 3:00pm – 6:00pm

Visit Home Visits 2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

0426 820 646 For a

Noosa Leisure Centre (The Lounge) 10:30am – 12:30pm 9 Wallace Drive, Noosaville

North Shore Community Centre (Pacific Paradise Room) 1:30pm – 3:00pm 701 David Low Way, Mudjimba

24TH OCT Home Visits 3:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

Noosa Leisure Centre (The Lounge) 10:30am – 2:00pm 9 Wallace Drive, Noosaville SATURDAY 25TH OCT Home Visits

2:00pm – 6:00pm Phone 0426 820 646 For a Home Visit

Brain health is a team effort

KAILAS ROBERTS explains the results of an important US trial and what it tells us about how to avoid or delay dementia as we age.

Iam optimistic about our ability to reduce our risk of dementia at a personal level, as regular readers of my column will recognise.

Though there are an unfortunate some for whom, despite doing everything right, dementia seems to occur, most of us have considerable influence over the outcome of our brain health. I want to revisit this today, especially in light of recently published trial results that provide yet more evidence that this is the case.

Known as the US POINTER trial, the study followed a group of more than 2000 older adults (60 to 79 years old) over a period of two years.

Some of the group received structured support in the form of guided activity and coaching that involved addressing a number of known risk factors for cognitive decline. They were compared with a group of people who also were given information about the risk factors, but limited specific guidance about how to tackle them.

The factors addressed included engaging in regular moderate-to-highintensity physical exercise, following the MIND diet, engaging in regular cognitive challenges, regularly socialising and close monitoring of cardiovascular (heart-

related) risks for poor brain health.

All subjects in the study had no memory problems at the start, though were considered at risk for memory decline due to a variety of reasons: for example, being sedentary and having a poor diet, as well as a family history of dementia.

Importantly, both groups improved in terms of their cognitive abilities at the end of two years, highlighting the benefits of the various lifestyle interventions.

Those who received more structured support, however, appeared to benefit to a greater degree than those who simply received education about the lifestyle recommendations with limited support.

What the second finding demonstrates to me is the power of having others actively involved in your attempts to keep your brain healthy.

Now, not many people have the luxury of having a ‘brain coach’, but having regular discussions with your GP may help keep you on track and friends and family may be able to assume the coaching role.

This, after all, is all about support (encouragement to keep going), accountability (knowing someone will be asking us about how we are going is

always motivating) and setting goals.

An ideal scenario would be to have a group of people, all of whom are trying to do the same things and coaching each other.

The specific goals are personal, as everyone’s needs and abilities vary, but ideally should follow the SMART goal framework (that is, specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound). Such an approach has been shown to improve adherence to the activities that are important to achieve this goal.

One of the facts that seems to be increasingly evident is that tackling the risk of dementia ideally involves doing a number of things, rather than just one thing.

Other research has shown that you get more protection the more of these favourable lifestyle practices you engage in.

What is encouraging is that engaging in one healthful behaviour means that you are more likely to engage in another. For example, if you are getting fitter, and feeling better for it, you will be more mindful of other things that might jeopardise this good feeling – such as eating poorly or drinking excessive alcohol.

I’m sure as time goes on, there will be more and more research highlighting how powerful lifestyle choices can be when it comes to protecting your brain.

And one great thing about the interventions is that they are generally cheap, accessible to everyone, low risk and make you feel better in the short and long term.

Kailas Roberts is a psychogeriatrician and author ofMind Your Brain: The Essential Australian Guide to Dementia, available at bookstores and online. Visit yourbraininmind.com or uqp.com.au

Meet Wendy, a proud Gureng Gureng woman from the Wide Bay region, whose journey into aged care has been guided by family, community, and a deep sense of purpose.

Born in Gin Gin, Wendy moved to the Sunshine Coast many years ago, where she and her partner raised their three children.

Today, she is not only an advocate for older Australians but also a proud and dedicated grandmother to three.

Wendy’s career in aged care began in 1998, working closely with Betty McMahon, the much-loved coordinator of Kabarli HACC in Caloundra.

Betty became both a mentor and an inspiration, sparking Wendy’s passion for supporting older Australians.

Over the years, Wendy has worked in various roles within the care industry,

Celebrating Wonderful Wendy: A Journey of Care, Culture, and Community

the ageing generation and people living with disabilities.

“What brings me the most happiness is seeing my clients smiling and hearing their stories,” Wendy shares. “Sometimes, all they need is for someone to sit and listen.”

Assistance as a care worker. For nearly seven years, she provided personal care, companionship, and unwavering support

listening ear.

Her warmth, compassion, and tireless dedication were recognised in 2021 when she was nominated - and won - a Carer’s Award, after being lovingly nicknamed ‘Wonderful Wendy’ by one of her clients, Kevin and his wife Marilyn.

This recognition extended beyond the Sunshine Coast, with her achievement celebrated at a statewide level.

For Wendy, aged care is more than a career - it’s a calling.

She treasures the opportunity to make a

simply being a comforting presence.

“My passion has always been for my family and community,” she says. “Working in aged and health care means I can support both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people. That makes me very proud.”

she has made with clients, families, and colleagues alike.

“It’s the team culture that makes the work so special - the laughs, the support, and the knowledge that together we’re making

Thinking about start a career in aged care like Wendy?

Home Care Assistance.

the friendly voice at the end of the phone, and the organiser who keeps everything

At Home Care Assistance, we’re here to make ageing at home easierwith genuine care, expert help, and someone you can call any time of day. and the who running smoothly behind the scenes – and her colleagues all agree, they would be lost without her.

Home Care Assistance is currently hiring care workers across the Sunshine Coast, supporting clients from Beerburrum to Noosa and throughout the hinterland. If you’re compassionate, reliable, and Assistance would love to hear from you.

Assistance would love to hear from you

Apply today! Email the HCA team at support@hcasupport.com.au or visit HomeCareAssistanceSunshineCoast.com.au

Ready for better support at home?

ake ageing at home easiere can call any time of

YOUR LOCAL EYE DOCTOR

Crucial month for research and hope

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a significant time for raising awareness about breast cancer and the urgent need for research in this area.

For the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), this annual event serves as a platform to highlight the importance of research in reducing the

Too many

devastating impact breast cancer has on families and individuals across the country.

This year, more than 20,000 Australians are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer – a staggering 57 diagnoses each day.

Sadly, more than 3272 women and 36 men are estimated to be lost to the

too soon WOMEN

With too many women taken too soon by breast cancer, it’s always a good idea to get checked.

Radiology is here to stand by women when it matters most. Take the first step today by seeing your doctor. This October, we will donate $5 to National Breast Council Foundation for every mammogram performed with us to continue our support for women.

disease in 2025, or about nine lives each day.

Breast cancer remains the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the country, affecting mothers, sisters, daughters, friends and loved ones.

While these statistics are sobering, there is hope.

Thanks to extensive research, the five-year survival rate for breast cancer has dramatically increased, from 76 per cent in 1994 to 92 per cent today.

The NBCF is committed to funding studies that explore how breast cancer originates, grows and spreads, with the ultimate goal of halting the disease in its tracks.

As survival rates improve, NBCF is now focusing on targeting those who fall within the 8 per cent gap, in an effort to achieve their long-term vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a time to not only reflect on the impact of the disease but also to take action.

By supporting breast cancer research, we can contribute to a future where no lives are lost to the disease.

Whether through donations, fundraising efforts or simply spreading awareness, every effort we make helps the NBCF inch closer to its vision of zero deaths from breast cancer.

Visit nbcf.org.au/donate and show your support for the organisation.

$5

donation for every mammogram performed

GET checked

Have you noticed any changes to your breasts? If you’ve noticed any breast changes that concern you, talk to your doctor.

Breast changes can be a sign or symptom of breast cancer but could also have other causes. Your doctor will be able to advise you.

Remember, breast self-exams are not proven to be a good alternative to regular breast screens.

Breast changes that should be investigated by your doctor include:

• a new lump or lumpiness, especially if it’s only in one breast

• a change in the size or shape of your breast

• a change to the nipple such as crusting or redness, or the nipple is pulled in

• nipple discharge (liquid comes out of the nipple) that occurs without squeezing the nipple

• a change in the skin of your breast such as redness, puckering (pulling in) or dimpling (like orange peel)

• an unusual pain that doesn’t go away.

Source: breastscreen.qld.gov.au

EARLY DETECTION CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE

MOST women are busy juggling work, family and other responsibilities and it’s easy to put your own health last.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to prioritise your own wellbeing.

Making time for a breast screen every two years is not just important for you, it’s important for your loved ones, too.

One-in-seven women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some stage of their life. While it can’t be prevented, the early detection of breast cancer gives

a woman more options for the treatment of the disease, improved quality of life during treatment and a greater chance of successful recovery.

A breast screen can find very small changes in breasts before these changes can be felt or noticed by a woman or her doctor.

It’s a quick, simple test with an appointment taking less than 30 minutes.

BreastScreen Queensland offers free breast screens to women aged 40 and over and you don’t need a doctor’s referral to make an appointment.

It’s understandable that some women may feel nervous

or vulnerable when having a breast screen, especially if it’s their first time.

BreastScreen Queensland staff are all female and trained to provide a respectful, highquality, professional service.

If you’re feeling anxious, talking to staff beforehand can help ease your concerns.

Being breast aware is also vital. Get to know what’s normal for your breasts so you can spot any differences: lumps, changes in shape or size, nipple discharge, or skin changes.

If you notice anything unusual, see your doctor as soon as possible.

Early detection really does make all the difference.

This month, take the time to look after yourself and encourage the women in your life to do the same.

To book an appointment with BreastScreen Queensland at Caloundra, Gympie, Maroochydore, Nambour or Noosaville, call 13 20 50 or visit breastscreen.qld.gov.au. Appointments are also available on the mobile service in Coolum and Cooroy this month.

LEADING RADIOLOGY PROVIDER SUPPORTING VITAL RESEARCH INTO BREAST CANCER

WITH Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, Sunshine Coast Radiology is encouraging you to make early detection one of your top health priorities.

Sunshine Coast Radiology and its specialty women’s health clinic, Breast Diagnostic Specialists at Warana, provide state-of-the-art mammography services, ensuring accurate and timely results.

With a team of highly trained and caring staff, who share a dedicated commitment to trusted breast care, they offer comprehensive services including breast screening and diagnostics in a welcoming environment specifically tailored for you.

Sunshine Coast Radiology is proud to donate $5 from every mammogram performed during October to the National Breast Cancer Foundation and its vital research projects.

Since the National Breast Cancer Foundation was formed in 1994, it has injected more than $200 million into research projects.

The death rates from breast cancer in Australia have reduced by 43 per cent.

That’s thanks in large part to research in prevention, early detection and new and improved breast cancer treatments.

The foundation has the goal of achieving zero deaths from breast cancer.

Remember: early detection is key. Speak to your doctor about a mammogram today.

Accepting all referrals, visit scradiology.com.au for more information. Appointment bookings are available by calling 1300 697 226.

See behind whilst driving forward.

WEB REVIEWS – REAEEIEW170.COM.AU

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Simon Little, Mountain QLD

Very happy with the rearview 170 camera, I have had the chance to take it away for the weekend with our van and love it. I’m also hoping to do a longer-term review of the product on my YouTube channel later in the year as we hit the road full time as a family.

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Hans

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Celebrating Seniors Month 2025

Let’s join together and celebrate

Get ready to socially connect this October as Queensland Seniors Month returns for another year.

Spanning from October 1 to 31 and now in its 65th year, Queensland Seniors Month provides opportunities for people across all generations to connect and challenge our own stereotypical views of

ageing and the aged. Reinforced by the theme of ‘Connect and celebrate’, the aim is to increase the social connectedness of communities throughout Queensland.

Council on the Ageing (COTA) Queensland chief executive Darren Young says Queensland seniors have shown the diverse ways they build and maintain social connections.

Personalised Support at Home for Seniors

“But not all are active socially, and social isolation remains a concern for some,” he says.

“Queensland Seniors Month is a way for our communities to recognise and reach out to older people and encourage new connections and friendships. Whether it be attending a dance or cooking class, a morning tea or concert, sharing a meal, an experience or having a chat with a neighbour over the fence, Queenslanders know we simply feel good when we connect.”

Mr Young says the month also provides the opportunity for Queenslanders of all generations to come together and celebrate the contribution of seniors to our state.

“We know that seniors are the backbone of our communities, especially through their contribution in important volunteering and carer roles,” he says.

“I look forward to seeing seniors out and about during October –

reconnecting and celebrating with their families, and friends.”

All Queenslanders are encouraged to connect and celebrate with older Queenslanders at inclusive and diverse activities and events during the month. These inclusive activities, organised by hundreds of local community organisations, are about providing older Queenslanders with a great opportunity to:

• connect people of all ages and abilities

• discover supports and services available if and when they need them

• celebrate the many contributions older Queenslanders make to their communities.

If you’re planning Seniors Month activities, we urge you to let the community know what’s on offer by submitting your events and activities into the online event calendar.

To find other events and activities, visit qldseniorsmonth.org.au

Calendar of events

All activities are free unless otherwise noted.

Senior badminton

Friday, October 3, 9am to 11am Monday, October 6, 9am to 11am (and every Monday and Friday through October)

Cost: $5

Sunshine Coast Badminton Centre, 93 Coronation Avenue, Nambour Join other seniors for social badminton.

If you are looking for a fun, friendly way to stay active, head along and enjoy a relaxed game of badminton with a welcoming group of players aged 55 and over.

The oldest member is an energetic 86.

Whether you’re a beginner or have years of experience, everyone is welcome.

Games are mixed up to keep things social and inclusive.

Each player is given a number and paired up for a 15-minute game.

It’s a great way to meet people, keep moving and have a few laughs along the way.

Just bring your enthusiasm and the rest is provided.

More information by emailing nambourbc@gmail.com

Brain training – Woodford

Tuesday, October 7

10.30am to noon

Woodford Library, 1 Elizabeth Street, Woodford

Keep your mind active and have fun.

Enjoy a range of brain-training games to help your memory-building abilities.

Play and games can also help improve your mood and assist in developing neuroplasticity. So, get those synapses firing.

This is a free event for seniors, but bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld. gov.au/libraries/Events/SeniorsMonth-Brain-Training

Living History, Living

Proud – Nambour

Wednesday, October 15 10am to 1pm

19 Image Flat Road, Nambour

In celebration of the 2025 Queensland Seniors Month theme: ‘Connect and celebrate’, 2Spirits and QC invite you to Living History, Living Proud: state-wide events honouring the resilience, stories and contributions of LGBTIQA+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy older people.

More information at qc.org.au/events/ queensland-seniors-month-2025connect-celebrate-naambasunshine-coast

Brain training – North Lakes

Wednesday, October 15

10.30am to noon

North Lakes Library, 10 The Corso, North Lakes

Here’s the easiest way to keep your mind active and have fun at the same time.

Enjoy a range of brain-training games to help your memory-building abilities.

Play and games can also help improve your mood and assist in developing neuroplasticity. So, get those synapses firing.

This is a free event for seniors, but bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld.

gov.au/libraries/Events/SeniorsMonth-Brain-Training

Brain training – Bribie Island

Thursday, October 16

10am to noon

Bribie Island Library, 1 Welsby Parade, Bongaree

Here’s the easiest way to keep your mind active and have fun.

Enjoy a range of brain-training games to help your memory-building abilities.

Play and games can also help improve your mood and assist in developing neuroplasticity. So, get those synapses firing.

This is a free event for seniors, but bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld. gov.au/libraries/Events/SeniorsMonth-Brain-Training

Buderim Garden Festival

Friday, October 17, to Sunday, October 19 9am to 3pm

Buderim Memorial Hall, corner Main and Church streets

Celebrating Seniors Month 2025

The annual Buderim Garden Festival attracts gardeners and interested spectators from around the state.

The 2025 festival will centre in and around the Buderim War Memorial Hall.

A major feature of the festival is the competitive Spring Flower and Photographic shows, including cut flowers, floral arrangements, potted plants, foliage, hanging baskets, bonsai plants and garden photography.

Next to the hall is the Quality Plant Market selling a wide variety of garden plants such as bromeliads, gerberas, orchids, staghorns and ferns, subtropicals, roses, geraniums, cottage garden plants, begonias, cacti and succulents, as well as garden novelties.

The Flower and Photographic shows and Quality Plant Market, based at the hall, will be open on Friday (twilight session) from 3-7pm, Saturday from 8am-4pm and Sunday from 8am-1pm.

The Friday twilight session will include a sausage sizzle, and coffee and cakes are available from the adjacent Buderim Craft Cottage, which is also open on the Saturday and Sunday. The Craft

Cottage will be displaying the Garden Sculpture Exhibition.

This year’s festival will see six exclusive Open Gardens in the Buderim area, which have been selected to showcase the diversity in size and style of gardening in our area. Visitors will be able to see the Open Gardens by either using their own transport, or without

Flower Show in the main hall and the Garden Photography in the hall foyer. Pre-purchased festival tickets will be available at Manawee Nursery, the Old Buderim Post Office, Buderim Newsagent or Buderim Bendigo Community Bank branch and on sale at the memorial hall

Calendar of events

Saturday, October 25

10am

an introduction to croquet, fun games, raffles and prizes.

A sausage sizzle and refreshments will be available for those who stay on for lunch (for a modest fee).

The aim is to have some good food, plenty of fun, meet new friends and discover an activity that will help mind, body and soul.

All equipment is provided.

No experience is necessary. Just bring a hat and wear covered shoes. More information via email at bribieislandcroquet@gmail.com

Senior Songsters

Celebrate – Kenilworth

Saturday, October 25

2pm to 5pm

Kenilworth Public Hall, 7 Maleny-Kenilworth Road, Kenilworth This is an event for all seniors, their younger friends and relations and others in the area.

Kenilworth and District Singers will host an afternoon concert of songs, some poetry and comedy, followed by a singalong for all ages.

Afternoon tea will be served. Everyone is invited to bring along their enthusiasm, voices and friends, as well as an acoustic instrument if they want to.

All are welcome to join the lead-up rehearsals at the Kenilworth Arts Council room, 6A Elizabeth St, Kenilworth at 10am on October 3, 10 and 17.

The Kenilworth Community Transport Service can be booked to transport seniors if needed. Contact Kenilworth Information Centre on 5446 0122 for information and bookings. More information via email at kadsingers@gmail.com

Sew a card holder – Woodford

Tuesday, October 28 10am to 11am Woodford Library, 1 Elizabeth Street, Woodford Add some extra fun to your next card game.

Use recycled materials to create a simple card holder that allows you to see your whole hand of cards without straining your wrist.

This is a free event for seniors, facilitated by friendly library staff. Bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld. gov.au/libraries/Events/Sew-ACard-Holder

Improv for seniors –North Lakes

Tuesday, October 28 10.30am to 12.30pm North Lakes Library, 10 The Corso, North Lakes

Discover how much fun improvisation can be with ImprovHub coach Lindsay Drummond.

Lindsay is a self-confessed ‘improv evangelist’. She truly believes if everyone did just one improv class, the world (or even the universe) would be a better place.

This is a free event for adults, but bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld. gov.au/libraries/Events/ImprovFor-Seniors

Discover easier living at Sunset Palms

Embrace a lifestyle where you have more time to enjoy the things you love. At Sunset Palms Retirement Living in Palmview, this welcoming community offers exactly that. Modern, low-maintenance homes, convenient care and support services, home and garden maintenance taken care of and a dedicated team ready to assist. Feel more supported, with the freedom to enjoy your time your way.

Celebrating Seniors Month 2025

Noosa Seniors Expo 2025

Wednesday, October 29

10am to 2pm

Noosa Seniors, 11 Wallace Drive, Noosa Head along to the Noosa Seniors Expo to find out about the services and supports available to you.

On hand will be a variety of service providers to answer all your questions.

Tea, coffee, and light refreshments will be provided, as well as a shuttle bus within Wallace Park Precinct.

Services available on the day include: Sage Care Advice, Services Australia, Relationships Australia Queensland, Footprints Community, Dementia Australia, Seniors Enquiry Line, Noosa Council services and more.

More information at noosa.qld.gov.au/Home

Brain training –

Deception Bay

Wednesday, October 29

10.30am to noon

Deception Bay Library, 9 Bayview Terrace, Deception Bay

Keep your mind active and have fun.

Enjoy a range of brain training games to help your memory-building abilities.

Play and games can also help improve your mood and assist in developing neuroplasticity.

So, get those synapses firing.

This is a free event for seniors, but bookings are required.

More information at moretonbay.qld. gov.au/libraries/Events/SeniorsMonth-Brain-Training

Gympie Seniors Expo 2025

Thursday, October 30

9am to 11.30am

The Pavilion, 77 Exhibition Road, Gympie

Connect with older Queenslanders and celebrate their ongoing contribution to the state and our local communities.

Gympie Seniors Expo 2025 will again be hosting service providers, social and recreational groups, sporting bodies and community organisations all under the one roof.

Find a group to join and relax with, learn more about the services available in our region or volunteer

your time with like-minded people.

There will be free morning tea available for all attendees, and an area to sit and relax if you need a break while making your way through up to 50 exhibitors.

The winners of the Gympie Senior Citizen of the Year Awards will be presented during the expo.

More information at gympie.qld.gov. au/Home

PRINT.ED EXHIBITION

2025

October 7-19. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-4pm, and Sunday, 9am-1pm

Matthew Flinders Gallery, Bribie Island Community Arts Centre, 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach

The Bribie Printmakers chose renowned floral artist Margaret Preston as the theme for their Print.ED exhibition 2025.

They believe this encourages their group to research and learn about important artists and their influence in the 20th century development of Australian printmaking.

Margaret Preston was a multi-

disciplined female artist with a distinctive style, especially in printmaking – an example that a style in one discipline can cross over into other media, encouraging thinking ‘outside the square’, flexibility and experimentation. Having a common theme or thread is intended to give the exhibition a unified look while still allowing members the freedom to pursue their own projects and approaches.

Preston’s predilection to banksias was also a deciding factor. The Printmakers at Bribie Community Arts Centre live and create in a suburb named after her favourite floral subject: Banksia Beach. Most members of the Printmakers will exhibit. Some have been remarkably prolific and all will show an interesting interpretation or ‘take’ on a subject. Free entry.

For inquiries, call 3408 9288.

Low-impact Reformer Pilates

Calendar of events

Celebrating The Seekers –60 Years

Wednesday, October 29, 11am

The Events Centre, Caloundra It’s been more than 60 years since The Seekers first came together in a Melbourne coffee shop.

There, they launched a musical journey that would see them become Australia’s first group to achieve a No.1 hit in the US with Georgy Girl, and sell

out record-breaking concerts around the world.

Now, founding member Keith Potger AO is bringing his acclaimed solo show, Celebrating The Seekers – 60 Years, in an uplifting daytime concert.

The audio-visual treat, featuring rare footage and still photos of Keith, Judith Durham, Athol Guy and Bruce Woodley, alongside timeless favourites from The Seekers, original ballads from Potger’s three solo albums and hits from the 1960s to the 1980s that inspired the group.

Potger’s signature 12-string guitar and unique vocal harmonies, which helped shape The Seekers’ unique sound, are at the heart of the concert.

Throughout the performance, he shares stories and anecdotes from almost six decades in music, reflecting on the group’s extraordinary career and paying a heartfelt tribute to his dear friend, the late Judith Durham.

All tickets are $31.

To book, call 5491 4240 or visit theeventscentre.com.au

The

Sound of Music

October 10-19, various daytime and evening performances

CCTC Theatre

3 Piringa Street, Wurtulla

The Sound of Music is based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Story of the Trapp Family Singers

Set in Austria on the eve of the Anschluss in 1938, the musical tells the story of Maria, who takes a job as governess to a large family while she decides whether to become a nun. She falls in love with the children and,

eventually, their widowed father Captain von Trapp.

He is ordered to accept a commission in the German Navy, but he opposes the Nazis.

He and Maria decide on a plan to flee Austria with the children.

Many songs from the musical have become standards, including Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things, Edelweiss, Climb Ev’ry Mountain and the title song The Sound of Music Book via trybooking.com/events/ landing/1444448 or call 0490 329 912.

THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS FOR DOWNSIZERS

FOR Sunshine Coast downsizers ready to embrace their next chapter, GemLife Elimbah – the newest over-50s lifestyle resort from the leading developer – is now selling.

Just 40 minutes south of Caloundra, this new community offers the ideal balance of peaceful, semi-rural living and easy access to the Coast.

Homeowners will enjoy the calm of Elimbah and nearby Pumicestone Passage and Bribie Island, with local shopping and services just a short walk away.

Set across 26 hectares, GemLife Elimbah will deliver 404 homes and more than $20 million in premium, resort-style facilities.

The centrepiece will be an $18 million, two-storey Country Club featuring a gym, heated lap pool, tenpin bowling alley, cinema, arts studio and ballroom.

A separate Summer House, with a swimming pool, club room and barbecue spaces,

including a pizza oven, will offer another hub for connection and fun.

Homes start from $740,000, with five thoughtfully designed layouts.

Each feature two bedrooms, a multipurpose room, spacious al fresco living and premium finishes.

“This is such an exciting development,” sales manager Glenys Lowry says.

“We can’t wait to welcome future homeowners and give them a glimpse into the wonderful lifestyle that awaits at GemLife Elimbah.”

Construction is also underway on two display homes: the Delaney which features thoughtful ,open-plan living and breezy al fresco spaces; and the Meldale which blends light-filled interiors with seamless outdoor flow.

Both are due for completion early next year.

The community will celebrate the grand opening of the new sales office on Tuesday, October 7, from 10am to noon at 38 Atherton Road, Elimbah. Visit gemlife. com.au/location/gemlifeelimbah-resort/

RETIREMENT today is filled with healthcare difficulties. You or your loved ones may be extremely fit and healthy currently.

But that may change quickly with the onset of mental and physical illnesses such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, cancer, stroke, broken limbs from falls late at night going to the bathroom (and laying on the floor with no help for hours).

Depression due to isolation and loneliness also can hit without warning.

If you or your parents are suddenly affected, the current hospital overcrowding, ramping and waiting times can create enormous problems getting

treatment. As a result, family members may have to step in to provide care for you, destroying their lives as well.

The Scarisbrick International Group and its associated companies can provide 6-star luxury, in-home care services in your own residence – as they have been doing for more than 10 years in Australia.

From one hour per month to 24/7 supervision, specialist staff will take care of you or your loved ones in their own homes so that they never have to go to a nursing home.

Even a full-time, live-in caregiver to do the cooking, cleaning, laundry and ironing can be available, or

companionship and 24-hour caregiving can be provided to ensure your life is as comfortable as possible.

The caregiver can accompany you on recreational and shopping trips, do the gardening, walk the dog –anything that you require.

A fully experienced, registered nurse also can be provided to visit regularly to check on your wellness, medications and vital health signs.

Email scarisbrickint@gmail. com for a free home assessment (no cost and no obligation) at your own home at your convenience or visit scarisbrickinternational.com for more information.

SECURITY AND SUPPORT ARE PRIORITIES IN DOWNSIZING: STUDY

RETIREES place a high priority on security and support when downsizing and choosing a retirement community, a study has found.

The 2025 Ageing Australia Study – the second landmark study commissioned by retirement living provider Aveo – gathered insights from 1260 Australians, aged 65-85, representing a cross-section of the population, largely representing the baby boomer generation. The research identified the top six most valued features of a retirement community: security, support services, a restaurant or dining room, maintenance-free living, a café and pool.

Aveo’s chief executive officer Tony Randello says the findings confirm that retirees value having systems in place to empower independent living with access to facilities

and services that enhance their lifestyle.

“The Ageing Australia Study revealed that 75 per cent of retirees surveyed are seeking security as a top priority when choosing a retirement community,” he says.

“This highlights that retirees value their independence but also want the reassurance of support when they need it. The expansion of home care services in retirement living means residents can receive the services they might need at home, while staying connected in a safe and supportive community environment.’’

Mr Randello says the results of the Ageing Australia Study challenge traditional stereotypes of older Australians by revealing that modern retirees are enthusiastically tech savvy, health-conscious and deeply engaged in their

wider communities, more than any previous generation.

“To support retirees and their digitally empowered lifestyles, the retirement living sector must rise to the challenge by creating modern and forward-thinking communities where residents can age in place – supported by quality wellness and social facilities, and innovation in technology,’’ he says.

The research shows 94 per cent of those surveyed own a smartphone, almost on par with the 98 per cent ownership rate among gen Z, aged 13-28. Two-out-of-three retirees embrace social media.

More than half exercise three to five times a week with walking, swimming and gym workouts most popular. The majority prefers to cook at home with fresh, healthy ingredients, the study shows.

Stop playing the blame game

CHARLIE GRIFFITHS knows only too well how hard ‘the truth’ can be to discover ... and the fallout that may result from trying to find it.

As an industry consultant, I regularly find myself caught in the crossfire between producers, dealers and suppliers all aiming lethal, laser-loaded fingers at each other.

As fierce as all parties are at sniping, they are equally adept at hiding and dodging return fire.

My job is to seek out the truth, but rarely do the warring factions desire this, too. They all want the process to operate safely, effectively and efficiently, but equally dread the consequences of responsibility. Losing face, losing money and losing credibility are unbearable agonies that must be avoided.

I have to filter through misinformation, disinformation and incompetence when gathering the data necessary to make an accurate analysis.

I have learnt over many years to approach volatile disputes as if I know nothing about the process being audited and gain consent to ask countless questions – often seemingly irrelevant but always with the purpose of gently shucking the oyster and letting the pearl drop.

With credible data in hand, I can step away, piece it all together and produce a

report with meaningful conclusions and initiative-taking recommendations.

When I am ready to deliver my findings, I remember Deep Thought: the supercomputer in The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, which was commissioned to provide the answer to the ‘ultimate question of life, the universe and everything’. After 7.5 million years of deliberation, Deep Thought announced, prior to revealing the ultimate answer, “You’re not going to like it.”

So, knowing that the quickest path to failure is to try and please everyone (Bill Crosby) and accepting that I can’t please all the people all the time (Abraham Lincoln and John Lydgate), I don my well-worn flak jacket and tell them how it is, whether they like it or not.

With the painful truth inflicted, I retreat and observe.

Skirmishes may break out, but eventually responsibility is owned outright or shared and remedial action taken to rectify the issues … and everyone lives happily ever after. Or they ask for a second opinion. Good on them, I say.

When I was told by a doctor that I was overweight, I demanded a second opinion

– to which he replied: “You’re ugly, too!”

How easy is it to blame others for our woes?

We can attribute our physical and personality flaws to our parents.

Being a parent, I know that insanity is hereditary: we get it from our kids.

It’s the government’s fault that we don’t have enough spending money.

Speeding fines are purely a source of revenue.

Building inspectors have way too much power.

Wrapping our problems in a blanket of blame only makes them harder to resolve.

They thrive in a warm, cosy environment and the longer they are allowed to brood, the greater the chance of hatching a monster.

At the Mundi Mundi Music Festival recently, Angry Anderson (Rose Tattoo) answered a question from J.Mo during a

special live podcast episode about his feelings on mental health.

Gary (Angry) was adamant that dealing with trials and tribulations is not an illness.

In his words, “That’s life!”

The interview embraced the concept of choosing to be a victim or survivor.

My mathematical brain produces: Blame = Victim; Responsibility = Survivor.

Billy Joel sang in You’re Only Human that mistakes are the only things you can truly call your own. Own them!

It doesn’t matter who you blame. They’re not likely to help, because it’s unlikely to be their fault.

If this article resonates with you, I would love to hear from you.

Contact me at charliegriffithscoaching.com

Charlie Griffiths is a certified life coach and Neuro Linguistic Programming practitioner.

Staying active during cancer treatment

CAITLYN HUTH outlines safety concerns and possible side effects of exercising during rehabilitation.

Going through cancer treatment can leave you feeling tired, overwhelmed and unsure about what your body can handle.

But staying active — even in small ways — can be a powerful tool to support your health, energy and mood.

Here are three common questions people have about exercising during treatment. Is it safe to exercise during treatment? In many cases, yes. Gentle movement can be safe and helpful. Exercise can ease fatigue, improve sleep and boost your mood.

The key is choosing the right type and amount of activity for your condition. Walking, stretching, light strength work or yoga are often good options. Before starting, talk with your healthcare team members so they can help guide you, based on your treatment plan and how you’re feeling.

How can I manage side effects such as fatigue or pain while staying active? It’s

normal to have days when you feel off. On those days, consider shorter, gentler sessions such as a five-minute stretch or a walk around the block.

Breaking activity into small chunks throughout the day can be easier than doing it all at once.

If you’re dealing with nausea, joint pain or dizziness, adapt your movement and ask your care team members for tips. They may be able to adjust medications or provide support to help you stay active safely. What are realistic exercise goals and how do I stay motivated? Set small, flexible

goals including “move in some way every day” or “do what I can today”.

Even five minutes of movement counts.

Tracking your activity in a journal or using a calendar can give you a sense of accomplishment.

Try to focus on how movement makes you feel rather than how much you do.

Some people enjoy walking with a friend, following online gentle movement videos, or listening to music or a podcast while they move.

The most important part? Be kind to yourself. Every bit of movement is a win.

Exercise during treatment doesn’t have to be intense to be effective. Start small, listen to your body and lean on support when you need it. You’re doing the best you can – and that’s more than enough

Caitlyn Huth is an exercise physiologist at Full Circle Wellness. Call 5456 1599 or visit fullcirclewellness.com.au

FIT HAPPENS with Tom Law

I HAVE never considered myself an author, although I have written four books.

I really think of myself as a person who loves to keep fit and healthy and enjoy life to the full, but write books I do.

My latest booklet (a small, thin book with paper covers) is titled: Gym Manners Matter. It is about etiquette and manners in this space. For those not familiar with gyms, it is a good introduction and covers topics such as culture, health and safety and, of course, hygiene.

There are few books on this subject, and I wonder if the need to write this came through my belief that manners generally are becoming less important than they may have been in my era.

I am now 70. From an exercise point of view, my reasoning for writing the book may have been promoted by modern technology.

Even runners on the footpath seem obsessed with wearing headphones. So, social interaction is limited. Gym-goers are not as talkative these days. Life is so

busy and we all seem to be self-centred. Social interaction breeds better health – of that, there is no doubt.

As we age, safety and security become very important. Being safe is definitely motivation to exercise and the health benefits that come from that are obvious.

I know of many senior people who will not exercise in their community because of safety concerns. Joining a gym may be the answer for some, or perhaps moving to a gated community in our later years.

Gated communities promote healthy living, give an enhanced sense of safety and may improve mental health and there is a sense of community and belonging.

Regardless of how you live your life, your health remains your No.1 priority.

Gym Matters Manner is available on Amazon or contact me and I will mail you out a copy.

Tom Law is the author of health and exercise-related books. Visit facebook.com/tomslawtraining or call 0409 274 502.

HAWKESBURY RIVER, PORT STEPHENS / NELSON BAY, MACLEAN, SOUTH WEST ROCKS.

FARE INCLUDES:

• Riverboat Postman Cruise, Hawkesbury River

• Dolphin Watch Cruise, Port Stephens

• Nelson Bay Lightlhouse Tea Room

• Grafton Jacaranda Festival Parade • Southwest Rocks

• Port Macquarie • Slim Dusty Centre • Yamba Tour • Museum visits

• The Story House, Coffs Harbour • Clog Barn • Bellingen

• Dorrigo Rainforest Skywalk • Tropical Fruit World

• Plantation Tour and Lunch, Summerland Farm

• Lunch, Gift Shop & Farm Animals

NEW GUIDELINES FOR ASTHMA

UPDATED guidelines now include a significant change in how Australians are advised to manage their asthma.

Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler launched the updated guidelines from the National Asthma Council Australia (NAC). The NAC’s Australian Asthma Handbook is the national guidelines for asthma management used by doctors, pharmacists and respiratory nurses in Australia and provides evidence-based, practical advice.

The most significant new recommendation encourages health professionals to stop prescribing or advising treatment with as-needed ‘blue puffers’ to manage asthma in adults and children from age 12.

SLEEP, MENTAL HEALTH AND CPAP THERAPY

GOOD sleep is one of the most powerful tools for protecting mental health.

When our sleep is uninterrupted, our brain regulates our emotions and processes our experiences from the previous day.

For those living with ‘untreated’ sleep apnea, however, restful nights are often interrupted. Snoring turns into large gaps in breathing, reducing oxygen supply to the brain – and that can happen hundreds of times each night.

The result can leave people exhausted, irritable and in a constant state of brain fog.

It is no surprise that research has found strong links between sleep apnea and depression.

Nearly half of all people with untreated sleep apnea report symptoms such as low mood, fatigue and loss of interest in daily activities.

Because the overlap is so close, sleep apnea is often mistaken for depression alone.

Alarmingly, up to 80 per

cent of people with sleep apnea remain undiagnosed.

The good news is that treatment makes a real difference. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, which gently keeps the airway open, allows the brain to reach deep, restorative sleep without interruption.

Many people describe life-changing improvements once they begin therapy – from feeling clearer and more energetic to noticing a brighter, more balanced mood.

For those who suspect sleep apnea may be part of the problem, a simple at-home sleep test can provide answers and point the way toward effective treatment.

As Mental Health Month reminds us, caring for ourselves means looking at the full picture. Sleep and mental health are deeply connected and, by supporting both, we give ourselves the best chance to thrive.

Reach out to CPAP Direct regarding sleep testing, treatment options and caring advice tailored to your needs.

Visit cpap.com.au

HEARING LOSS LINKED TO OTHER CONDITIONS

EMERGING research has revealed a compelling link between hearing loss and systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

While often overlooked, our ears may serve as early warning systems for deeper health challenges.

In cardiovascular disease, compromised blood flow can damage delicate structures in the inner ear, leading to gradual hearing decline. Similarly, diabetes – marked by high blood glucose – can impact nerve function and circulation, disrupting auditory processing.

Studies show that individuals with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss when compared with those without it.

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect quality of life. It may signal that underlying disease is progressing, sometimes silently. By the time symptoms are noticeable, irreversible damage might already be done.

That’s why proactive hearing checks are essential.

For patients managing heart disease or diabetes, incorporating audiological screening into routine care is more than sensible, it’s potentially life saving.

Early detection of hearing changes can prompt timely medical intervention, improve communication with healthcare providers and protect cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Think of hearing tests as a front-line tool in chronic disease management. It is important to choose a clinic that focuses on hearing and not just hearing aids.

Lisa Burley is an audiometrist at Hear4Good: a local and independent hearing clinic in Golden Beach and Caloundra. Call 54770144 or visit hear4good.com.au

THE CHANCE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PODIATRY

THE Australian Podiatry Association (APodA) is leading the charge behind Podiatry Week 2025, from Monday, October 13, to Sunday, October 19.

Australians are being asked to think again about podiatry with the theme: ‘From first steps to next steps’.

It’s not just lower limb, ankle and foot problems. It’s about movement, independence and quality of life at every age and stage. Whether it’s a child finding their stride, an athlete hitting their stride, or an older adult maintaining their stride, podiatrists are there for every step of the journey.

Some podiatrists have additional qualifications that allow them to prescribe certain scheduled medicines. These practitioners are known as endorsed prescribers and are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia.

Ainslie Davies, practice owner and manager at Buderim Podiatry and former president of the APodA, says Podiatry Week is an important event in the calendar for podiatrists as it provides the opportunity to educate the community on their vital role.

“In my clinic, I see an array of patients with varying needs – from tradies looking for solutions to make their shoes more comfortable, to elderly

people needing more support, to parents wanting to check their child’s development,” she says.

“I love the diversity of clients I see and the ability to make a real impact to their lives by supporting their most important asset: their feet.

“Feet are essential to our daily life – something not always realised until something goes wrong. It’s important to not wait when it comes to caring for our feet, ankles and legs, as seeking professional advice early can significantly improve patient outcomes.”

Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who have met stringent education and regulatory standards.

Their training allows them to identify early signs of more serious health conditions such as circulatory issues which, if left unattended, can lead to strokes or heart attacks.

They also play a significant role in supporting people with chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Given the large scope of the profession, many podiatrists focus on specific areas such as paediatrics, sports, aged care and complex conditions.

In Podiatry Week 2025, podiatrists will be sharing their stories on what they do, why they love it and the immediate impact they have on lives.

Visit podiatry.org.au/publicresources/ for-me

Wherefore art thou?

If you accept the role of executor of an estate, you take on certain legal responsibilities.

After the payment of estate debts, the primary obligation of an executor is the transfer of the assets of the deceased to the beneficiaries named in the Will.

But what happens if a beneficiary can’t be found?

The executor has an obligation to locate the missing beneficiary.

The types of inquiries an executor may carry out will depend on the size of the gift and the costs involved.

If, after reasonable inquiries have been made, the beneficiary still cannot be found, an executor might consider seeking the protection of an order of the Court.

The Court is able to make an order allowing an executor to distribute the

estate to the known beneficiaries.

The Court order protects the executor for the distribution if the missing beneficiary ever turns up to ‘reclaim’ their gift.

Applying to the Court can be an expensive exercise.

If your executor has no family connection with any of the beneficiaries, keeping an up-to-date record of their contact details can be of great assistance to your executor – as well as saving your estate unnecessary costs.

3, OCEAN CENTRAL, 2 OCEAN STREET, MAROOCHYDORE, 5443 9600, WAKERLEYLEGAL.COM.AU

WHAT CAN HAPPEN AFTER YOU MAKE A WILL

WHILE creating your will is important, it is not the end of what needs to occur with the document.

Once your will is created, you must ensure that it is stored correctly and your loved ones know where it is. This will help prevent unnecessary costs and complications rising upon your passing.

Just like you would not leave cash lying around, you should make sure your will is securely stored as a legally binding document which outlines how your estate assets will be distributed and dealt with.

Any alterations such as damage, handwritten notes, scribbles and impressions left by staples or paperclips can create issues. These issues create the possibility for your will to cause avoidable legal complications for your loved ones or, at worst, to be considered invalid.

While you can rewrite your will as many times as you like while you have the capacity, it is likely that issues with it would not be discovered until it is too late.

If your will is damaged or lost, such as in a house fire, your loved ones may miss out, as the court will distribute your estate according to a standard set of rules, disregarding your intentions.

While proper storage is crucial, it is just as important that your loved ones know where to find your will.

It is common for family members to be unaware of where your will is kept or even

if one exists. Your will and other critical documents should be stored in a secure, yet accessible, place. Be sure to inform a trusted person, such as your executor.

You can keep it in a home safe, a safety deposit box, or another location you feel is secure. When you store your original will, remember these tips:

• do not fold or bend the document

• avoid removing any staples or bindings

• never write on the document or allow it to become imprinted by other papers.

If the above options do not work for you, Ryans Solicitors and Attorneys offer complimentary will safe storage, even for those the company did not prepare.

Important documents are stored in fireproof and waterproof safes with a digital register for peace of mind.

If you pass away without a will, or if a copy cannot be found or if your will is deemed invalid, your estate will be administered according to intestacy rules.

These laws outline the order in which eligible family members inherit your estate, and if you have no eligible family members, your estate will go to the government.

WORDS: Johanne Viavattene, solicitor, Ryans Solicitors and Attorneys. Call 5443 9911 for a free, no-obligation, 30-minute phone or in-person consultation. Mention this article when you call.

By LESA MACPHERSON

DEMOGRAPHER Bernard Salt says baby boomers make up a unique generation in history.

It is also a generation that has been labelled lucky and privileged.

However, the baby boomers worked hard and carried on the ideals and values of their grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, and had parents who survived World War II. Their industry, work ethic and attitudes carried through to the baby boomers.

The baby boomers are now retiring and are a fast-growing demographic. While this is mainly a time for them to relax, there remains many legal challenges to deal with. Some of their challenges include:

1. Having an adequate will to ensure that their wishes are carried out and the estate is managed as they intend.

2. A loan to a family member. Is it documented? What happens when things don’t work out as intended, either with the lender or the borrower?

3. Many baby boomers desire to be part of a community when feeling lonely and isolated. Moves to a retirement village can allow them to become part of an active and engaging community – but

what are they signing up for? Contracts are many, varied and complicated.

4. Contracts for an ‘over-50s resort’ – legally known as a manufactured home park or a land-lease arrangement. What are the legal pros and cons?

5. New disclosure rules for sale of the family home require legal consultation. It’s important to choose a lawyer in the elder law space.

6. Having to place a family member into aged care. What does the contract mean? And what about the upcoming changes to aged care?

7. Having to manage the estate of a deceased family member and not knowing what to do or how to navigate the complexities involved. This can become complicated and expensive if there is no will.

Sunshine Coast Elder Law offers in-person meetings, as well as video conferencing. Using video conferencing means family members in different locations can be directly involved in the discussions occurring with the client.

Sunshine Coast Elder Law specialises in all aspects of elder law, including wills, estates, aged care, over-50s resort and retirement village contracts. Call 1800 961 622 or visit sunshinecoastelderlaw.com.au

TURN COINS, JEWELLERY INTO CASH

ANTIQUE buyers and father-son duo Mike and Nate Cornish will be travelling to the Sunshine Coast from October 20-25.

“We are enthusiastic buyers, particularly interested in gold jewellery, whether broken or intact, antique jewellery, gold and silver coins, collectibles including military medals, and banknotes, as well as mechanical watches,” Mike, the company’s chief buyer, says.

“Everyone has something we want to buy and nothing is too small for our consideration. We are just as happy to buy one item as we are buying 10,000.”

If you are in doubt about any items you wish to sell, take them in for an instant appraisal. No appointment is needed.

With the gold price still at higher-thantraditional levels, the Cornishes say that

right now is an opportune time to explore your jewellery box and dig out those old gold chains, rings, and brooches, to turn them into cash.

“This is an ideal time to sell,” Mike says.

“We will buy anything made of gold – old jewellery, coins, virtually anything, even gold teeth. We also need silver in any form, including coins and bars of any size.”

Mechanical watches are needed urgently by the buyers: “Collectors at this stage want brands such as Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Longines and Seiko, just to mention some.”

See heritageint.nz

FUNERALS NOW ‘MEANINGFUL CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE’

AFTER 90 years of guiding Australians through loss, the Australian Funeral Directors Association has entered a new era.

Relaunching as Funerals Australia, the change reflects a shift in the way Australians want to say goodbye. Today’s funerals are becoming vibrant, personal and meaningful celebrations of life.

New research commissioned by Funerals Australia and conducted by McCrindle in July 2025 shows Australians see the most valued elements of a funeral as:

• reflecting the life and personality of the person who has died

• bringing people together to share

their memories

• creating a sense of closure and support.

Funerals Australia member Luke Gregson (pictured) says while farewells have changed, the role of the funeral director remains essential: “Families still need someone they trust to take care of the details, provide emotional support and ensure everything runs smoothly. Australians want both meaning and professionalism. That’s exactly what our members offer.”

Visit funeralsaustralia.org.au

In-home care feature

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE AND SAFETY THROUGH THE REFORMS

MAROOCHY Home Assist has been a trusted name on the Sunshine Coast for more than 25 years, helping older people and those with disabilities live safely and independently at home.

With a proud history of service and a dedicated team, it has walked alongside its community through many changes in aged care — and 2025 brings one of the biggest reforms yet.

There has been much confusion about what the new Aged Care Act and Support at

Home reforms mean for people receiving services. At Maroochy Home Assist, the message is simple: nothing is changing for the majority of clients.

As both a state-funded Home Assist Secure provider and a federally-funded Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) provider, Maroochy Home Assist will continue delivering the same reliable home maintenance, minor modifications and safety support it is known for. Whether it’s fixing a step, installing a grab rail or ensuring a home environment is safe, the focus remains firmly on preventing accidents, reducing risks and supporting independence.

Maroochy Home Assist is about to move into the new,

purpose-built facility at Chevallum. This step means the service will soon be able to host occupational therapists, workshops and community sessions dedicated to all things home modifications and maintenance. This will ensure clients, carers and health professionals can access the right advice and support under one roof.

Services at the heart of what Maroochy Home Assist does:

• Home Assist Secure (HAS) – subsidised support for Queenslanders aged 60-plus and people with a disability, assisting with small but vital jobs that keep homes safe

• Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) – home modifications, minor and major, that make homes more accessible and enable older people to live confidently and independently

• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Home Care Package support – extending the reach so more people can access practical, affordable handyman and modification services. Call 5476 6130 or visit maroochyhomeassist.com.au

MAXIMISE your independence

Feel safer at home with minor home modifications including grab rails, door wedges and hand held showers.

We also subsidise minor home maintenance related to your safety and security.

• Smoke alarm checks

• Changing light globes

• Gutter cleans

• Plumbing

• Electrical

NEEDING A MAJOR HOME MODIFICATION?

Our team of specialists has over 25 years of experience and can provide subsidised modifications to your bathroom, as well as access ramps and stairlifts.

DELIVERING COMPASSION, CARE AND CONNECTION

FOR many in the Sunshine Coast community, staying independent while ageing or managing health challenges is a top priority.

That’s where RangeCare steps in.

It offers a comprehensive service designed to help support individuals in living life on their own terms, while creating a sense of belonging through every interaction.

From in-home personal and nursing care to wellness and recreational activities, RangeCare provides tailored support that meets people where they are.

Whether it’s help with daily tasks such as cleaning and cooking, or more specialised services including overnight respite, RangeCare ensures that dignity, informed choice and personal agency remain central to the care experience.

Its social centres and in-home support programs

foster connection in meaningful ways, while also offering companionship and community.

Technology support initiatives help clients stay digitally engaged and safe, while home maintenance and modifications make everyday living more accessible and secure.

“We believe independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone,” a RangeCare spokesperson says.

“It means having the right support to live the life you choose, surrounded by people who act with kindness and respect.”

With nutritious meal delivery services and a team of compassionate professionals ready to assist, RangeCare is more than a service provider: it’s a trusted partner in wellbeing.

Every service is designed to encourage informed choice, promote safety and nurture relationships that matter.

Visit rangecare.com.au or call 5445 7044.

CHRONIC wounds are more common than many people realise, particularly among older adults living with conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation or reduced mobility.

These are wounds that take longer than four weeks to heal.

They do not progress and heal as a wound typically would.

Instead, they can persist for weeks, months and even years, often causing discomfort and increasing the risk of infection if not managed properly.

If you are unsure about a wound, you should always check with your doctor.

Although chronic wounds can be uncomfortable, they can be managed.

Professional wound care provided in the home means people can remain in familiar surroundings while receiving personalised support.

Skilled nurses are trained to assess wounds, apply correct dressings and adjust treatment plans as healing progresses.

They also work closely with families and carers, providing education and guidance so that day-to-day management feels less overwhelming.

Caring for a chronic wound at home is not just about treating the wound itself. It is also about supporting the whole person by helping them maintain

independence, dignity and comfort while reducing unnecessary complications.

For many older Australians and their families, having access to professional nursing care at home makes all the difference.

It turns what can feel like a constant struggle into a manageable, supported process.

And it allows people to focus less on their wound and more on living well.

WORDS: Dan Blundell general manager, Supported at Home. Visit supportedathome.com.au or call 5293 7515.

Home Wound

ORIANA CHOIR GALA ANNIVERSARY CONCERT

THE Sunshine Coast’s acclaimed vocal ensemble Oriana Choir will hold its 20th Anniversary Gala Concert next month.

Marking two decades of musical excellence and community spirit, this special event brings together Oriana singers, past and present, for an unforgettable afternoon of harmony, reflection and celebration.

The concert program will feature a curated collection of choir and audience favourites – the pieces that have defined Oriana’s journey and captured hearts across the region.

In a joyful reunion, the choir will welcome back beloved guest conductors and past members, honouring the voices and visionaries who helped shape Oriana’s artistic legacy. Under the baton

THE RANGEBOW FESTIVAL

THE Rangebow Festival is a vibrant celebration of community, where art and culture unite to promote a future of inclusivity and harmony.

The festival offers more than 30 events and immersive experiences — from participating in drag workshops and then performing on the big stage, platypus spotting in nature and a Micro Film Festival screening short films, to comedy and cabaret performances, ’80s flashbacks with a concert and a tribute night to celebrate Sting, Blondie and The Police, plus immersive concerts at dawn.

There’s a silent disco called Glowtopia, of artistic director Kim Kirkman and supported by piano, strings and a band, the performance promises to be moving and magnificent.

The Oriana Choir has become a cornerstone of the Sunshine Coast’s cultural life, known for its powerful performances, high artistic standards and warm community spirit.

This gala event will be a moment to reflect on its remarkable legacy and to celebrate the enduring power of song to unite and uplift.

WHERE: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina.

WHEN: Sunday, November 2, at 2pm.

TICKETS: Visit venue114.com.au or call 5413 1400. For full details, visit oriana.org.au.

BUDERIM MALE CHOIR

BUDERIM Male Choir is presenting its annual concert with this year’s theme: ‘Songs of the British Isles’.

The concert features traditional and favourites from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, a taste of the Proms and even a Beatles number.

The choir is being supported by the Buderim Men’s Shed band Flashback, presenting ’60s and ’70s blues, rock and ballads.

It promises to be a delightful afternoon of great music to suit all tastes.

WHERE: Buderim War Memorial Hall, 1 Main Street, Buderim.

WHEN: Sunday, October 12, at 2pm.

which welcomes all to a feelgood-andhave-a-dance party and Oktoberfest with German beer and Bavarian food.

WHERE: Locations in Nambour and Sunshine Coast hinterland, plus Kings Beach.

WHEN: October 9-12 at various times.

TICKETS: Various prices, including some free events. Visit therangebowfestival.org

TICKETS: $20 at the door, including afternoon tea. For inquiries, call 0478 589 517 and visit buderimmalechoir.org.au

SUNSHINE COAST JAZZ CLUB

THE Sunshine Coast Jazz Club will present Russell Bayne’s Session Band, featuring celebrated jazz vocalist Leena Salim (pictured) this month.

Salim’s soulful voice and captivating stage presence draws inspiration from legends such as Shirley Bassey and Diana Krall. The Session Band is a dynamic group of elite musicians with a seamless blend of Dixie, swing, modern jazz, Latin, rock and more.

Frontman Peter Uppman – an internationally acclaimed trumpeter and songwriter – has an unparalleled ability to entertain with effortless humour and top-tier musicianship.

When surrounded by fine musicians such as the Session Band – Russell Bayne

CALOUNDRA ARTISAN FAIR

ENJOY two festive days filled with handcrafted treasures made by Caloundra Arts Centre Association (CACA) members.

Discover high-quality pottery, paintings and other fine art, embroidered

(guitar), Jo Bloomfield (keyboard), Pat Robins (drums) –you can be assured of a really great show.

WHERE: Caloundra Power Boat Club, 2 Lamerough Parade, Golden Beach.

WHEN: Sunday, October 19, at 1pm.

TICKETS: $22.50-$27.50, via sunshinecoastjazzclub.net.au

supports local artists and helps sustain the Caloundra Arts Centre.

Don’t forget to visit CACA’s popular onsite gift shop, North Street Made, for more locally handmade delights.

Supporting 23 arts and crafts groups, CACA fosters artistic collaboration, skill

AFTER THE FALL

By Kirsten Alexander

Contemporary fiction

Reviewed by Jan

Kent

AS GISELLE flees Melbourne for a Yorkshire village, she leaves behind a toxic marriage to a controlling and self-absorbed husband.

But she carries with her the grief of losing her sister and parents – quite some baggage to haul to the other side of the world.

Melding into the life of the village, she finds support and acceptance from some quirky and intriguing characters –particularly Lady Margaret, who lives in a mansion atop the hill overlooking Giselle’s rented cottage.

Predictably, troubles cannot be so easily escaped and the manipulative husband invades her sought-after haven with a barrage of texts and threats to follow her.

Adding to the twisting plot are unexplained bomb blasts, a body to bury and protection of a vulnerable forest – all in a sleepy Yorkshire Dales village.

With clever character crafting and a sensitive and, at times, painful subject of coercive controlling behaviour, this book is engaging and makes for a very good read.

What stood out for me in the second half of the book was an unusual element of the supernatural, which some readers may find appealing.

However, for me it was a distortion of an otherwise well-written and enjoyable novel, which focuses on the strength of sisterhood and resilience.

THE WHISKY WIDOW

By Karen Brooks, Historical fiction

Reviewed by Rachel Burgoine, of Annie’s Books on Peregian

I LOVED this tale of a gutsy ‘incomer’ or ‘lowlander’ woman who finds herself a hired help in a Scottish highland village.

It is set in the late 1700s, where the threatening presence of English soldiers and the government’s taxes makes scratching a living from the harsh surroundings a constant struggle.

Accompanied by her young deaf daughter, Greer finds herself at the mercy of a tall, dark and (dare I say)

AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED

By Khaled Hosseini

Historical fiction

Reviewed by

John Kleinschmidt

I HAVE not read books by this author previously but was impressed by reviews of his works: The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.

It took several chapters and many location and character changes before I realised that this book was really a collection of short stories: each about an Afghan family, starting with a father and three children from a very small village.

The stories intersect a little sometimes and more deeply at others, taking the characters to very different countries and lifestyles.

The author’s storytelling style is a little confusing, but he brings it all together in the final chapters.

The story is a little about Afghanistan, Islamic culture and corruption, but mostly about the hearts and minds of the characters.

Easy to read and almost a very good book.

handsome stranger. Gaining acceptance into the hostile and superstitious community – where the smuggling of whisky is part of the village’s survival – is a daily challenge.

I am a huge fan of Brooks’s book The Good Wife of Bath with its strong, smart main character.

And I certainly felt the same sense of place and time with this new book.

RETIRE LIFE READY

By James Wrigley, Self-help

JAMES Wrigley is one of Australia’s most-followed financial advisers.

With more than two decades of experience, he’s known for making money matters simple and relatable.

He knows better than most that for many Australians, retirement planning is a source of anxiety.

Questions about whether your super will be enough, how to manage debt and maintain your lifestyle can feel overwhelming, leaving many unsure where to start or if they’re even on track.

In the new book Retire Life Ready, the licensed financial adviser aims to put Aussies at ease, showing how the choices you make today can transform your tomorrow.

Drawing on his experience helping thousands plan smarter finances, Wrigley guides readers to assess what they already have and take practical steps toward a secure, fulfilling retirement.

Readers will learn how to:

• pinpoint the cost of their ideal retirement lifestyle

• unlock the power of superannuation and other wealth-building tools

• reduce debt and accelerate home loan repayment

• grow wealth with simple, long-term investing strategies

• plan for family healthcare, the pension and beyond.

Retire Life Ready aims to help you have a financial plan, but also gain confidence, clarity and the freedom to shape a retirement that reflects your dreams.

TENDERFOOT

By Toni Jordan,

Historical fiction

Reviewed by Karen Weiber, of Books@Stones, Stones Corner

TENDERFOOT is a coming-of-age novel about 12-year-old Andie Tanner.

Set in 1970s Brisbane, Andie is the narrator of the story, reflecting on her childhood and the family break-up.

Andie’s world is small but whole. Her mum is complicated, but she adores her dad and the kennel of racing greyhounds that live under their house.

Andie is a serious girl with plans: finish school with her friends, then apprentice to her father until she can become a greyhound trainer

with dogs of her own. But real life rarely goes to plan, and the world is bigger and more complicated than she could imagine.

When she loses everything she cares about – her family, her friends, the dogs – it’s up to Andie to reclaim her future.

She will need all her wits to survive this new reality of secrets and half-truths, addictions and crime.

Toni Jordan has captured Brisbane in the 1970s beautifully. With all the pop-culture references, it is a book that reminds us of a simpler life we led back then.

America’s ‘heartland’

Road trip

Growing up in a house where the record player was always on, blaring show tunes and Glenn Miller big-band hits, I learnt all I knew about the US from catchy songs.

I’m pretty sure my siblings and I were the only kids in our street dancing to Chattanooga Choo Choo. And as dad was a singer, who performed in clubs and talent contests, we knew his repertoire by heart, including Tony Bennett’s soaring ode to San Francisco.

So when I fly into St Louis years later,

much alive and kicking today. St Louis is a blues town, with a hefty dash of rock’n’roll, while KC is labelled a US ‘cradle of jazz’ for its hardswinging, bluesy type of jazz that dominated the clubs in the 1920s and ’30s. The two musical genres had their origin in the ‘Great Migration’, when African Americans left the South en masse to seek a better life in northern and mid-west cities.

Along with music, both St Louis and KC love baseball, relish their barbecue (the cuisine, not the appliance) and have done an excellent job preserving and re-imagining their grand railway stations.

After a visit to St Louis’s icon, the Gateway Arch, which curves to a summit of 192m on the banks of the Mississippi, we head to the National Blues Museum.

Opened by BB King’s daughter in 2016, it tracks the genre from its beginnings in the early 1900s to mainstream acceptance in the 1960s and onwards through exhibits, soundtracks and great photography.

Budding musicians can add embellishments and licks to tunes on a variety of digital instruments (I picked up the spoons to add a flourish to a song!).

Although the self-guided tour takes just 45 minutes, I could easily spend a day there.

Later, we take a local train to the Delmar Loop: an entertainment precinct lined with bars and cafés and, in a prime position, a statue of Chuck Berry who was born in the city in 1926.

rendition of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine

It’s a prelude to an evening at the St Louis ball park, Busch Stadium, where quite coincidentally the St Louis Cardinals are playing the Kansas City Royals.

Although seated in the lofty bleachers, out of the relentless summer heat, we can revel in the antics off-field (the Mexican waves and dancing) and catch glimpses of home runs 100m below.

Fortunately, the Cardinals win.

After three days, it’s “Kansas City Here We Come”, but not until we call into Sedalia en route and take in the Scott Joplin festival in full (ragtime) swing. Again, I thank my lucky stars that such an event – honouring a musician I’ve long admired – coincides with our road trip.

On arrival in KC, my first discovery is that the metropolis of half-a-million people sprawls over two states: Missouri and Kansas. We base ourselves on the eastern Missouri side, with all the attractions. The second revelation is ‘barbecue’ and tales of the legendary sauces.

Caroline Gladstone crosses an ocean to find herself transported back to her childhood and the soundtrack to her life.

I can’t get a certain show tune – you know the one: sung by Judy Garland in the 1940s movie – out of my head.

Although the city is regrettably pronounced ‘Lewis’, not ‘Louie’, the song is apt, as I am meeting a friend there.

The city on the Mississippi River will be the starting point for a Mid-West sojourn.

From St Louis, we head to Kansas City (KC), four hours away, and the two songs penned in its honour also do a loop in my brain.

While songwriters mined a fortune from the two cities in the past, music is very

We lunch at Blueberry Hill café, whose walls are crammed with photos of owner Joe Edwards with luminaries including Jerry Lee Lewis, Joe Cocker and Bob Dylan, and poke our heads into the Duck Room, where Berry played, until his death in 2017.

One night, we have cocktails and canapes in the Grand Hall of Union Station – one of the best places I’ve ever had a drink. The former passenger train station was transformed a decade ago into a bar, hotel and stylish amusement palace, complete with aquarium, big wheel and fairground carousel.

We enjoy drinks under its 20m-high, barrel-vaulted ceiling on which laser shows are projected, including a fun

While Aussies think sausages and steak sizzling on a grill, barbecue is an entirely different proposition in the US, with Kansas City styled as the ‘Barbecue Capital of the World’.

KC residents favour slow-cooked meat (usually brisket), seasoned with dry rubs and slathered in sweet, thick sauces with the added treat of ‘burnt ends’ or succulent off-cuts. We attempt to finish a huge sharing portion at the Country Road Ice House, with a mass of sides.

St Louis boasts a different style, where a special type of ‘square spare rib’ is grilled rather than slow-cooked and doused with a tangy sauce.

continued over >

As barbecue is a revered art form in both cities, I’m not going to choose sides. But if you really want to tuck in, KC’s newly opened, world-first Museum of BBQ is, theoretically, the place.

We do spend a day visiting two museums in 18th and Vine (an historic African-American district): the American Jazz Museum and the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum. Musicians including hometown boy Charlie Parker and Count Basie are venerated at the jazz museum, while artefacts on display include Benny Goodman’s shoes and Ella Fitzgerald’s

sequinned ball gown. Film clips bring early eras to life and the Blue Room hosts concerts and jam sessions.

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum gives voice to a forgotten chapter of baseball history: a time when colour bans prevented African Americans from playing in the major league. Exhibits include Storied: 22 videos of baseball history – and memorabilia such as mits and balls.

We round off our stay in the Mid-West with a stroll through KC’s Union Station: a 1914 Beaux Art building whose trains share the cavernous space with a planetarium, theatre and interactive science museum.

And at night, we slide into a red velvet banquette to listen to cool jazz at the Green Lady Lounge.

GETTING THERE

St Louis and Kansas City are about 400km apart. Driving takes four hours. Amtrak trains connect the two cities on a 5-hour-40-minute journey, for about $A64 one-way.

Stay:

St Louis – Drury Plaza St Louis at The Arch: druryhotels.com

Kansas City – The Hotel Savoy Kansas City: hilton.com/en/hotels/ mkccnup-hotel-savoy-kansas-city/ More information: explorestlouis.com and visitkc.com

TRAVEL OZ THE EASY WAY BY COACH IN 2026

LUXURY coach tours offer a relaxing and enjoyable way to travel.

Passengers can sit back, stretch out and take in the scenery through large windows – all while travelling in comfort and safety.

There is no need to worry about the details. Everything is organised as part of the value-packed itinerary, including accommodation, meals, attractions and admissions.

Paul Brockhurst, from CT Travel, brings 25 years of experience in the coach tour industry.

He says coach tours are ideal for those who want to explore without the hassle of planning, seeking out the best spots, driving long stretches or organising local tours. Coach tours allow people to truly enjoy the adventure, rather than just the journey.

He notes that many are surprised by how rewarding an Outback trip can be once they are able to relax and appreciate the landscape, rather than focusing on driving.

Coach travel also provides opportunities for socialising and meeting fellow travellers with similar interests.

It is a more companionable way to travel, where shared experiences foster friendships.

A highlight of these tours is the immediate connection with locals, who

offer insights and stories that enrich the journey.

Paul emphasises that local guides are used wherever possible, as they know their area best and can introduce guests to hidden gems and lesser-known features of each destination.

Local guides often have interesting stories to share, making guests feel like part of the adventure rather than just ticking boxes on a map.

Whether travellers are after a short getaway to O’Reillys in the Gold Coast hinterland, K’gari/Fraser Island (pictured) or a longer adventure to the Outback, North Queensland Savannah or the Red Centre, coach tours provide a convenient and enjoyable way to see it all.

Visit cttravel.com.au or call 53911648.

NOVEMBER 2025

Tasmania (15 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

FEB 2026

Brisbane Tattoo (3 Days)

MARCH 2026

Norfolk Isl (8 Days)

APRIL 2026

Easter in Port Stephens (8 Days)

Alpine High Country to the Murray Delta (11 Days)

MAY 2026

Murray Princess & Kangaroo Island (11 Days)

O’Reillys Rainforest Retreat (4 Days)

Wallaroo Outback Retreat (7 Days)

JUNE 2026

Darling River Run (15 Days)

Red Centre & Top End (11 Days)

JULY 2026

Lightning Ridge (7 Days)

With Quizmaster Garry Reynolds

1. Which UK soccer team became co-owned by Ryan Reynolds?

2. In which century was Genghis Khan born?

3. Which film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2001?

4. What is the colour of the ‘L’ in the Google logo?

5. Who owns the nuclear power plant in The Simpsons?

6. Who was the actress who helped develop WiFi?

7. Which UK PM had the shortest tenure?

8. What sea does the Mekong River empty into?

9. What is the long-running noted Australian portraiture prize?

10. From which language did ballet terms emanate?

11. What is the common term for calcium carbonate?

12. What is the main constituent of sauerkraut?

13. What instrument measures wind speed?

14. Which bird is on the Zambian flag?

15. At what newspaper did journalist Bob Woodward expose Watergate?

16. What is the capital of Greenland?

17. In which state is Mount Macedon?

18. What is the name of Holly Golightly’s cat in Breakfast at Tiffany’s?

19. What does the NATO acronym stand for?

20. What is mageirocophobia a fear of?

Cabbage. 13. Anemometer. 14.

1 Gets friendly with bowlers, say, taking part in sporting contest(5,2)

5 Brings in one thousand cases(7)

9 One matched vehicle seen

10 Split end of electric line connected to appliance(6)

11 Large book brought back one 13 consumption, is excellent(10)

15 Disapproving expression is

18 Associates of administrator

19 Insulation people used in rented soldiers’ accommodation(10)

21 Illegal drug found in airport disturbed South Africa’s

22 Large section of big, damaged tent is attacked by insects(6)

25 Anglican changed for lunch in a mess(6,2,7)

26 Meeting held by SES calms down(7)

27 Religious group keeping quiet about vision(7)

1 Company pursuing amateur in uncivil tennis

2 Friend and I leave after a mass(5)

4 Australians apparently love 5 Politician involved in rigged

6 Consistency noticed by one in Labor, for example(6)

7 Ornamental stone is replaced in the door(9)

8 Ship carrying in last of Denmark’s torpedoes(5)

12 One employed in top company’s electrical stores(10)

14 Be signalled after barrister is grilled(9)

16 Rush around English school

17 Sweet dish’s ingredients used by charmer in

20 Digger from way back resting in boat(6)

21 Groups of herded animals, standing apart, returned from paddocks(5)

23 Narrow channel with no original feature(5)

24 Stones, for example, turned