Thing of Beauty a 1964 Porsche Carrera GTS Aged Care Changes

April | May 2014

Thing of Beauty A 1964 Porsche Carrera GTS

Aged Care Changes When, Where & Why

Fred Chaney A Lifelong Crusade

Gluten Free Gluttony Flourless Chocolate Cake & Kumara Latkes

Account Based Income Streams All You Need to Know

Petula Clark “I loved Fred Astaire Truly” contents April | May 2014

20 The Good Life Again Two years ago Kaye First Up Healey started a women’s 9 Letters communal living project in 12 News the Southern Highlands. She reports on its progress. 14 Executive Diary 16 Campaigns 23 Family Planning With new aged care reforms set to take effect in July, it’s Epicurean time to start planning, 35 Books & Movies warns Brian Herd. 37 Top Shelf An exquisite parrot 26 Chance Encounter threatened with extinction captures The Senior Australian the expert eye of natural history of the Year is a tireless author Penny Olsen. campaigner for indigenous 38 Open Road If a caravan is out of It’s time to build a nation that embraces every generation. A nation that recognises the positive contribution rights. Casey-Ann Seaniger meets Fred Chaney. your price range, David Woodrow says older Australians make in our lives, in our workplaces, and in our communities. If we do, we’ll build a stronger, the answer could be a joint purchase. wiser, healthier, kinder and more productive nation, a nation for all ages – and that’s a big plus for all of us. 28 Agony Planner Struggling with 40 No Wheat, No Worries Raglan- raised chef, Emma Gallaway, shares If you know friends and family who want to help us build a nation for all ages, suggest they join us before superannuation, pensions or property investments? Colin simple, delicious gluten-free recipes 31 May. And, when they do, you’ll both receive 6 month extensions to your membership for free*. Lewis has the answers. with Rosemary Desmond. To join, visit us at nationforallages.com.au, call us on 1300 76 50 50 and quote promo code NFAA2014 or 30 On the Up Unlike Time Out annuities, account based complete the form below. 44 Collectibles A 1964 Porsche income streams can grow in 904 Carrera GTS 18 Colouring Her World value. Craig Hall explains. Sixties superstar Petula 46 Puzzles Clark now 81, is still touring. 32 Pressure Point High Referring member no. EXTRA 6 MONTHS FREE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP! Rosemary Desmond catches blood pressure can be 48 Tech Spec Saving the world lowered through diet, PERSONAL DETAILS 1 YEAR Single $40** 2 YEAR Single $65 3 YEAR Single $95 up with her. with computer games exercise and medication, Mr Mrs Miss Ms Dr Date of birth / / Joint $50** Joint $80 Joint $120 writes Peter Clifton. 50 The Last Word Building a nation First name **includes a one-off $5 joining fee. Last name Cheque/money order payable to National Seniors Australia. Address Please charge my card: Visa Mastercard (1.5% Visa and Mastercard surcharge applies) 20 26 40 Suburb State Postcode Card no: Phone Mobile Email Expiry / JOINT MEMBER DETAILS Cardholder’s Name

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50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 *Offer ends 31 May 2014. Please ensure the referring membership number is quoted at time of purchase to receive the additional 6 months of membership. Not valid with any other offer. 5 editor

It was but a grain of an idea last The bad news is that, since then, Let’s hope it stays that way. issue when Ian and Sandra Gillies there’s been an onslaught of Watch this space for updates. wrote in voicing their concerns over interests questioning the generosity Sarah Saunders suggestions that the family home of the pension assets test – from the [email protected] should be included in the pension Grattan Institute to the Productivity assets test. Commission, and, oddly enough, On a hunch we published their Australian Workers Union national letter, and called on you to let us secretary Paul Howes. Publisher know if it was important to you also. Just how effective these groups National Seniors Australia Judging by the strength of your have been in reshaping government A.B.N. 89 050 523 003 responses, it is. We haven’t run your thinking will be made clear in the ISSN 1835–5404 Commission of Audit report and the letters in this issue because mostly Editor May federal budget announcement. they’re a show of support. Sarah Saunders But the common message in all The good news is that, so far, it is a s.saunders@ (but one) is: We’ve worked hard, paid debate that neither the Coalition or nationalseniors.com.au taxes, raised families and covered Labor want to get entangled in. Both, National Advertising Manager the mortgage – and no one’s taking it seems, recognise the sanctity of the our homes off us. family home and what it represents Mark Smith in the Australian way of life. [email protected] National Office contributors Level 18 215 Adelaide Street Ornithologist Penny Olsen is an associate professor at the Australian Brisbane Q 4000 National University. Her most recent books are Cayley & Son: Phone: 07 3233 9191 The Art and Life of Neville Henry Cayley & Neville William Cayley (2013), Flocks of Colour (2013) and An Eye for Nature: The Life and Fax: 07 3211 9339 Art of William T. Cooper (2014). www.nationalseniors.com.au

A high-profile clinical and nutrition researcher for more than 20 years, Disclaimer Peter Clifton joined Baker IDI in July 2009. While he was at CSIRO, National Seniors Australia [NSA] he co-authored The CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet books. His primary accepts no responsibility for the research interest is the use of diet in the prevention and treatment accuracy or completeness of any of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors: obesity and diabetes. material herein and recommends readers exercise their own skill Kaye Healey is a retired editor and publisher of a series of books on and care with respect to the contents of the magazine. Australian social issues. She is an award winning writer and author The magazine contains views of several books on retirement and ageing. Kaye is a Jungian therapist and or recommendations which and lives on her 5acre farm in the Southern Highlands of NSW. do not necessarily reflect the views of NSA or its commitment to a particular course of action. After a lifetime of teaching in places as diverse as Zambia and A reference to a particular person, product, organisation or service in PNG as well as Australia, Mary Tibben is now developing a new an advertisement or elsewhere in and long-postponed career as a writer. Originally from UK, she the magazine in no way implies any has been happily settled in rural Queensland for the past 25 years. form of endorsement by NSA of that person, organisation, product or service. NSA disclaims to the Paul Joshua is an automotive enthusiast in the final stages of his extent permitted by law all liability for claims, losses, expenses, damages Science and Journalism degree. Born in Singapore, he’s lived in and costs the reader may incur as a Brisbane for most of his life, other than when travelling at every result of, or associated with, the use possible opportunity. He is passionate about anything with a motor, of the information contained herein particularly the two-wheel variety. for any reason whatsoever. The publisher reserves the right to accept 50 something’s Agony Planner scribe is ipac technical services head, or reject any advertising or editorial matter. No part of this magazine Colin Lewis. Colin has over 20 years’ experience in superannuation may be reproduced, reprinted or and retirement incomes and has held senior otherwise duplicated without written regulatory, consulting and technical roles permission of the publisher. throughout the financial services industry. Printed by Horizon Media

6 50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 first up executive diary

How often do we say that jobs face an average of 72 National Seniors joins panel ageing issues do not get weeks out of employment enough attention in the – substantially longer than National Seniors has joined the Advisory Panel public debate? other age groups. on the Blueprint for an Ageing Australia. Not this time. Regrettably, the growth Established by the former Labor government Recently we’ve seen an in the number of over 50s and then disbanded by the current extraordinary range of accessing the disability government late last year, the Panel has been characters, commentators, pension indicates taken under the wing of progressive think tank experts and would-be many never return to Per Capita. experts, lining up for a Michael O’Neill the workplace and are The Panel is charged with producing a headline on ageing. CEO National Seniors Australia quietly shuffled out of the Blueprint that capitalises on population The issues have been employment market. diverse – from pension age ageing. National Seniors will provide research, The damage to the wellbeing, health to eligibility tests, employment and the analysis and the grassroots views of its and financial outlook for these older Commonwealth Seniors Health Card. members. Australians is mirrored in the loss The commentary has conveniently recorded by their families, communities, Other panellists include former National been framed in the negative – the end and indeed, the nation. Seniors chairman Everald Compton; of the world is nigh. Even a considered community leader and businessman Neville Disturbingly, there is an increasing view speech from the Deputy Governor of the Roach; Flinders University professor of ageing that the decade ahead will see pressure Reserve Bank, Philip Lowe, was reported Gill Lewin; and former deputy prime minister in terms of an ageing population on traditional white collar and middle Brian Howe. threatening to entrench a growth- management occupations as the march stifling culture of risk aversion…from of technology will cause seismic shifts The Blueprint is due in September, following parliament to boardrooms and even to in employment patterns. community consultations. Support the Panel’s the design of children’s playgrounds. Consider that Access Economics research work at Pozible http://www.pozible.com/ The negative narrative extends for the Human Rights Commission has project/177631 to an unwillingness to recognise revealed that a five per cent increase the productivity opportunities and in participation by the over 55s would contribution that an ageing population provide a $48 billion dollar boost to Brisbane man wins is and will continue to deliver. the economy – equivalent to 2.4% of book prize The key starting point to recognition of national income. the contribution by older Australians is A shift in attitude across the community Tech-savvy children the challenge of employment and links including business, government and playing computer to proposals to raise the pension age. individuals is necessary – and, yes, it games and the author’s The proposition has been floated for a will require individuals to accept that childhood memories of shift in the pension age to 70 years at traditional patterns of employment make-believe planes some point in the future. Australia is will disappear. Community attitudes to made of wooden crates a frontrunner in shifting the age from ageing will be critical in ensuring a level have inspired the winner 65 to 67 by 2023. playing field for workers. of the 2014 National Photo Kirsten Hughes © Seniors Literary Prize. Sound arguments are advanced about The distraction of a long-off shift in the the health, capacity and opportunity pension age being painted as the panacea Bruce Gannaway of Mt Warren Park in that 65s have today to continue in the for future fiscal challenges really is a Queensland was chosen as this year’s workplace, compared to a century ago nonsense. Let’s have the debate when winner with his novel The Last Eaglehawk, when the pension was created. Indeed we have, as a nation, demonstrated an adventure set in 1942 Australia where a many people currently choose to work our capacity to ensure sustainable group of forgotten children are recruited and past age 65. employment and participation for people trained to fly small fighter-planes against the There is also no doubt that growth in their 50s and through to their 60s. advancing Japanese empire. pressure on the economy will continue to In the meantime, note to self: National Seniors and Random House hold be a driver for this debate. concentrate on risk aversion and its the literary contest each year for unpublished What is conveniently glossed over is the impact on playgrounds, supermarket authors aged 50 and over. Gannaway receives continuing blight and impediment of aisles, drinking coffee, walking in the $2000 cash, a three-year National Seniors mature age unemployment. park, going to theatre, celebrating membership, e-book publication, cover Oft quoted but too frequently ignored, birthdays…such an adjustment in design, 12 printed copies and the opportunity is that 55 year olds who lose their lifestyle is required. n for further print-on-demand versions. 14 50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 cover story colouring her world

Synonymous with the sixties, singer Petula Clark, at 81, is still on tour. Rosemary Desmond gets the lowdown on dancing with Fred Astaire and ending up under a piano with Sean Connery.

It’s been 50 years since Downtown rocketed Petula Clark to pop music stardom. Her signature 1964 hit set Clark on track to a stellar career. But it did not start that way. Attending a 1942 BBC Radio broadcast with her father at the age of nine, Clark famously volunteered to perform in front of a theatre audience made nervous by an air raid during the Blitz. She became a BBC regular and was described as “Britain’s Shirley Temple”, later singing at the national post-war victory celebrations in Trafalgar Square. Following her movie debut in the 1944 wartime comedy Medal for the General, Clark went on to a stage, film and singing career spanning seven decades. Her upbeat hits became a sound track for the 60s and 70s and included Downtown, composed by Tony Hatch, who became a long-time musical collaborator. A two time Grammy winner, Clark has sold 70 million records and has a string of other pop chart-busters such as I Know a Place, Colour My World, A Sign of the Times and Don’t Sleep in the Subway.

18 50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 This is My Song was written for her by the grow up and get past what they call legendary Charlie Chaplin. She recorded it “that awkward age” whereas I did all my in several languages. growing up in public. I had a television Clark was Fred Astaire’s final onscreen show and I didn’t go into hiding during my dance partner in the 1968 musical Finian’s adolescence and it wasn’t easy because Photo: Rex/ITV © Rainbow and once drank cocktails under frankly people didn’t want to see me a piano at a party with a then little known growing up. I was under contract to the actor named Sean Connery. Rank organisation and they kept me in little shorts and socks and my hair in She has been separated for many years bunches because I was more valuable to – but not divorced – from her French them as a child. husband Claude Wolff. The couple have three children, Barbara, Kate and Patrick What was Fred Astaire like to work with? and two grandchildren. He was just incredible. Of course I was Household Name Petula in Stars On Sunday, 1970s She lives in Geneva, has been honoured by excited and scared about dancing with the Queen and by her peers in the music a man who was that famous. When you Do you think women can have it all… world and owns homes in Switzerland, meet someone you have admired for marriage, career, children? France and the UK. so long, it can be a disappointment. I can only speak from my own experience. But he was just so funny and musical and Now 81, Clark could afford to live a quiet It’s hard. I thought that I would be we had a great time together and when it life of luxury anywhere she chose. Instead, superwoman and I would be able to do it came to dancing with him, he just made it the songstress with the golden voice is still all – and do it all well. And that’s the thing. so easy for me. He was a true perfectionist doing what she loves and retirement is the Basically, I think that being a good wife but he worked harder than anybody else last thing on her mind. and mother is a full time job if you want to and used to spend all his weekends be really, really, good at it. Being a good On your Australian tour, are you singing rehearsing in the studio when everybody performer is a full-time job if you want to songs from your latest album Lost in else had gone home. I loved him truly and be really, really, good at it. But something You, or some of the old standards? I think he loved me. has to go and it was a compromise I’m not going to be doing all of the songs How many grandchildren do you have both ways for me. My family life was a from Lost in You, but I’ll certainly be doing and do you see them much? compromise and so was my career, there quite a few and some of the old ones as is no doubt about that. well, just as I did on my recent tour of the I have two but they live in New York, UK. so they are not exactly I read that there is a new man in your around the corner. life. Is there anything you can tell me Do you ever get tired of we lived outside They come back to about him? singing Downtown? us here in (Geneva) London and it used I would rather not talk about it. In my inner Switzerland at Christmas No. Toni Hatch wrote circle, we are all aware of it. There might to get pretty hectic and they go to the chalet Downtown for me. He wrote be a time when I do (want to talk), but not (in the French Alps) and a lot of great songs and they with the bombing right now. are still great and I don’t feel they have their summer embarrassed going on (stage) holidays here too. Have you had any cosmetic surgery? singing songs…I don’t care You still have an incredible voice and I had a little bit done, way, way, back when how old they are. I re-recorded Downtown you are still performing at the age of 81. we did some makeup tests. When I was a for Lost in You …. and I certainly enjoyed Is age just a number to you? kid I had an accident and had a scare near doing it. my eye and it was decided that had to be To be honest with you, I think the whole corrected and when that was done, the Why did you want to become a singer? age thing is a bit of a bore. If people didn’t other side had to be done but I haven’t had There was a war going on when I was a remind me of it, I wouldn’t think about it. what you would call big cosmetic surgery. young child and we lived outside London I am privileged because I do something and it used to get pretty hectic with the that I love. I have a nice life and my voice I read that you were once sitting under bombing. So my sister and I used to go is still in great shape, so why not just stop a piano with Sean Connery…. off to spend time with my grandparents in thinking about it and get on with it. It was a long, long time ago and he was Wales where everybody sang and it was a So you don’t have any plans for not the huge star that he is now. But there very musical environment. I sang naturally retirement? was a group of theatrical and musical because I am not a trained singer and the people and we had these parties which first time I sang in public was in Wales. I Good God, no! I can’t imagine…what were a lot of fun. We were drinking gin and didn’t want to be a singer…I just was. would I do? Of course I would do other cider or something and we finished up things…I’m not one of those showbizzy Did you find it difficult to transition from people who always have to be “on” all the under the piano together. I don’t remember a child singer to an adult singer? time. I love nature and have a chalet up in it but he (Connery) did remember it and It wasn’t easy. People liked to call me the Alps and I love being with friends and reminded me so it was more memorable “England’s Shirley Temple” but I wasn’t. going to the theatre, the opera, listening to for him than it was for me. In Shirley Temple’s case, they snatched music and writing. But music is where my Petula Clark is touring Australia in April and her away from the audience so she could soul is…it’s just who I am. May. Check local newspapers for details.

50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 19 profile Photo: Reconciliation Australia © Respected Fred Chaney greets fellow veteran campaigners at the 40th anniversary of the 1976 referendum Chance Encounter

Former Fraser Government minister and indigenous rights campaigner, Fred Chaney, is the 2014 Senior Australian of the Year. Casey-Ann Seaniger caught up with him.

26 50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 ADVERTORIAL

A chance encounter with an Aboriginal In one of Chaney’s first cases as a lawyer, woman one bright afternoon in Western he defended an Aboriginal woman who was Australia led an impressionable 14-year- accused of neglecting her six children. old boy down a path he never would have “When I took the case to court there imagined. seemed to be complete confusion in the It was 1950s’ white Australia, and court because people didn’t know how to Fred Chaney, a private school boy from actually deal with an application that was a well-to-do family was holidaying at a opposed to a removal,’’ he said. local farm. The case was eventually dismissed after Photo: Reconciliation Australia © Chaney doesn’t reveal much about the Chaney gathered overwhelming evidence Aboriginal woman he met that day except from people in the community who said she to say she was ‘isolated’ and he became had always been a terrific mother. Helping Hand Fred Chaney at the Arnhem Land Garma Festival, 2008 puzzled about where she fit into society. The public servant who brought the case Chaney helped establish the Aboriginal Questions about her identity lingered to court confessed to Chaney they had Legal Service of Western Australia and received complaints of too many Aborigines on the teenager’s mind for many years is now on the board of the Central Desert and, then, on a separate visit to the bush in east Perth so they wanted to lock Native Title Services and the Graham as a uni student at age 17, Chaney came children up in institutions. (Polly) Farmer Foundation which has across a community of marginalised Chaney remembers following another supported more than 1000 Aboriginal Aborigines. powerful case where a mother from a stable students to reach their potential through Chaney saw vulnerable women being domestic family had unknowingly signed education. preyed upon, families living in abject over her children shortly after giving birth; Chaney recently said that reconciliation poverty in tin sheds, and people’s right nurses had drugged her because they was ongoing despite the 2008 apology to of movement heavily restricted. believed she’d already had enough children. the Stolen Generation. “I thought it was entirely wrong, I saw Both of these cases had a stinging impact He said the poor rates of unemployment, all sorts of things that I thought were on Chaney, who then went into federal education, life expectancy and infant very contrary to the Australian ethos,’’ politics after being inspired by his own mortality and the high incarcerations rates he remarked. father, Sir Fred Chaney, amongst the Aboriginal population are “I’ve always been treated the people Australia who was a minister in the all issues that should be front of mind for Menzies Government. governments. well and so has my family didn’t treat well and it seemed to me very As Minister for Aboriginal “The one thing that has been proved in strange that the people were the people Affairs from 1978 to 1980 the past decade is that putting people in Australia didn’t treat well who had been here his empathy for Aboriginal jail is counterproductive and it’s terribly were the people who had people did not cause a expensive to society,’’ he said. been here the longest.” the longest clash with Prime Minister “We are at risk of losing another generation Malcolm Fraser but it did These accidental if we are not careful, not to child removal, cause a stir in the states. encounters, which he but to jails.” “I had some real trouble with the state describes as the biggest influence on his Chaney agrees with AFL player and fellow premiers, Sir Charles Court in Western life, ultimately led Chaney into a life of Australian of the Year award winner, campaigning for indigenous reconciliation Australia and Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen in Adam Goodes, that it’s time to have a and human rights. Queensland, but thankfully I was fortified national conversation on racism. by having the strong support of my own With his privileged upbringing, and his prime minister.” “I don’t think you can expect a child to be involvement with the Liberal Party of successfully educated in a classroom where Australia, Chaney admits he is an unlikely Since retiring from political life in 1993 this is racism and I don’t think you can crusader for Aboriginal rights. after 20 years in politics, Chaney has expect a person to succeed in the workplace remained active speaking at rallies But it’s his strong belief in equality that where there is racism.” against Aboriginal deaths in custody and has Chaney admired by so many in the helping indigenous people from the Stolen Reflecting on his life, Chaney says he is community. Generation get justice. most proud of his work with the Graham During the 1960s at university, Chaney (Polly) Farmer Foundation. The 72-year-old was recently named the became an early advocate for Aboriginal 2014 Senior Australian of the Year for his Looking forward, Chaney will be voting rights which led to the 1967 commitment to reconciliation and human working with the Foundation along with referendum. rights. government and various organisations to “I realised Aboriginal people didn’t have help improve the lives of Aboriginal people. For many years, Fred was deputy president the right to vote, they weren’t even counted of the National Native Title Tribunal and “All through my life I have come across as Australians and they were really was the founding co-chair and director of circumstances which, as a citizen, I deprived of what I thought was normal Reconciliation Australia where he now thought needed to be changed. involvement in Australian life.” serves on the board. “That desire hasn’t left me.” n

50 SOMETHING April/May 2014 27 It’s time to build a nation that embraces every generation. A nation that recognises the positive contribution older Australians make in our lives, in our workplaces, and in our communities. If we do, we’ll build a stronger, wiser, healthier, kinder and more productive nation, a nation for all ages – and that’s a big plus for all of us.

If you know friends and family who want to help us build a nation for all ages, suggest they join us before 31 May. And, when they do, you’ll both receive 6 month extensions to your membership for free*.

To join, visit us at nationforallages.com.au, call us on 1300 76 50 50 and quote promo code NFAA2014 or complete the form below.

Referring member no. EXTRA 6 MONTHS FREE WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP!

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