Life Times is proudly sponsored by Issue 10, 4 February 2013 To the victims of flood and fire: we salute you People power at work FROM THE FAR NORTH to the far south, in your easy-going by Maida Lilley Australian way, you are quietly picking up the pieces, planning SINCE 1 JULY 2012 local hospital boards have your lives again. been set up to make local health decisions.This You are doing it the way Australians have always done it, is turning back the clock in what seems to be a since the days when they came from the other side of the world practical way. No doubt there have been there to the lonely little harbour town of Sydney – with precious little some teething problems, like the proposed to help them survive. But she’ll be jake mate. changes of function for Eventide at Brighton. This decision has come from Brisbane North, This year it has been fire burning the south, and water and state Health Minister Lawrence Springborg drowning the north. But every news item has a similar theme: a to say it was their decision when interviewed story of courage, determination and resilience. on the ABC. We must ensure that our governments do not let them Of course the big change in federal funds down. now being responsible for aged care is a – Val French AM complicating factor as Eventide is state-owned. responsibility has caught a number of elderly A federal election: carpe diem! Theresidents, sad facts who are call that it home, the change to be ofcaught fiscal in this by Val French AM political quagmire. Many are unable to speak THE ANNOUNCEMENT of the election date puts a special emphasis on the promise made by Ita Buttrose on Australia good sense to prevail. Both positions need to Day when she became Australian of the Year. In her speech Ms forbe sensiblythemselves, resolved so their as vulnerablefamilies are elderly fighting and for Buttrose said she would use her new position to promote a patients-in-transition are both deserving. more positive approach to ageing. An election – especially over so many months – could be of Christmas vacation, Premier Newman has value in furthering her vision. We certainly need her now to movedDuring out his across first Queensland week back after to see his what help put together a campaign voice. people around the state have to say to his government. Groups representing nurses She is not alone: there are others who share her vision as have been very vocal at all his stops. In two there are older people all across Australia who have fought communities that were scheduled to lose their for years to break down these negative public – even family – local hospitals, the Premier has backtracked attitudes. from the local boards’ decisions and assured You meet the results of these attitudes in every walk of life: outspoken and persuasive locals at Moura and from those older workers deprived of work, to elder abuse, to Inglewood that he can step in to reverse those shortages of money for research into such medical conditions as decisions. dementia, arthritis, macular degeneration, diabetes and the like. Of course, the elected Health Minister and An election date set so early gives us a tremendous the Premier and Cabinet must have the right to opportunity: let us take advantage of the situation and get together and plan our priorities and policies. Liberal or Labor in an invidious position. The announcement or Green – let us give them our vision, our solutions. makefrom the final boards decisions, is that but a hugethis puts cutback local in boards federal funding has necessitated local area cuts across We can use Older People Speak Out’s Life Times to hear and gather your views to use throughout the following months. It is the state. time we were heard. This should not be a contest. Who wins? Life Times is designed and produced by Commonwealth Bank Editorial Team Edit Plus Editor: Grant Dobinson is proud to be a Editorial Consultant: ph: (07) 3376 9246 sponsor of the Val French AM mob: 0403 376 921 Cadet: Amy Rickleman email: [email protected] OPSO Media Awards web: opso.com.au/life-times internet: editplus.com.au page 1 Pay bills online to avoid extra charges by Dick Bennett WHILST NEW TECHNOLOGY is great and has fantastic advantages and convenience for Internet users, some of this can be daunting to seniors. Many services, including telephone and utilities, now involve using the Internet and email. Bills previously sent by mail are starting to now have a fee for service added. Businesses are now encouraging account holders to receive their bills electronically and for bills to be automatically paid by direct transfer. Low-income seniors and pensioners who opt to deductions have been made, how much credit remains receive paper bills with some utility companies now and allow for the convenient and timely top-up of the incur an additional fee for this. In addition, account account. holders who opt to pay their bills in person need to The current roll out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) across Brisbane may also create some consuming and inconvenient. confusion and apprehension as seniors are unsure of the go toIn aaddition, post office many or cashierservices to require do so. Thiscommunication can be time implications for them and what they need to do. With to be done online through websites and there is an the NBN also becoming the replacement service for the increasing discouragement from making contact by landline copper network, seniors need to be informed of how this new technology will affect them. to complete and submit applications online with no BSOL volunteer computer mentors provide Internet phoneprovision or infor person. submission Some as firms a paper require document. job applicants training for learners in their own home on their own The use of the Internet, online banking and the computers on a one-on-one basis. There is an affordable potential associated risk of fraudulent activity if annual fee for learners. For those who do not have a precautions are not taken is of concern to all seniors. computer or a connection to the Internet, small classes are run in some areas of Brisbane or learners have the Brisbane Seniors Online (BSOL) can guide seniors on option of undertaking one-one-one tuition at a BCC the safe use of the Internet and eliminate ‘cyber stress’. library or community centre using a BSOL mentor. The Volunteer mentors can show computer and Internet BSOL Central Training Centre in the Brisbane CBD is users how to make their computer secure and minimise also available for tuition with training computers. the risk of fraud and scams. Protection of the computer * * * * * and personal data with up-to-date security software, Brisbane Seniors Online (BSOL) is a not-for-profit incorporated organisation that provides affordable are all offered by BSOL to members. computer training for seniors and over-50s in their own firewalls and demonstrations on safe online browsing In addition to hundreds of uses, other important uses home, at community centres and libraries, as well as small of the Internet are the monitoring of GoCards and toll classes in some areas using unpaid volunteer mentors. road transponders. These allow users to see if correct Contact BSOL on 3210 6983 or see www.bsol.asn.au The Origins of GRANFRIENDS Expressions Granfriends say: “It’s time to become a Granfriend.” Spill the Beans – In ancient Greece, voting for membership into some of their organisations was done And the children say: “It’s good to learn something via beans. White beans were dropped that you don’t normally learn in school. We get to into a container who favoured the use our creative skills and meet up with the candidate and brown or black beans lovely people who teach us.” not clear and when you went to vote ifyou you kept didn’t. your Apparently hands folded the so jar no was one This could be your students talking about you, so knew if you dropped a white or black why not become a Granfriend and enter the wonderful world of teaching primary school? Children enjoy many actual vote results of black vs. white beans. However, on a few occasions a of the ‘forgotten’ crafts, and appreciate any help bean? Only the officials knew the with their reading. and revealed all the beans! This is how clumsythe phrase voter got would to refer knock to someone over the jar Phone Blanche O’Connor on 3324 2779 who reveals the truth or hidden secrets. ¨ page 2 The language of tennis with Maida Lilley PLAYING ANY SPORT during the current heat-wave been proud of that one,” and “That was vintage Leyton conditions is challenging. The state-of-the-art new We enjoy remarks like: “Lew Hoad would have defeated last year’s Kooyong winner, we agreed: Perth Arena hosted the Hopman Cup while our own right“Leyton there. is turning He will back fight the to the clock.” bitter And end.”. then After he did he – Pat Rafter Arena held the Brisbane International he won the title for the second time. on. Even with closeable roofs, surprising comments Times, venues, racquets and players have certainly earlierlike ‘wind this is year. swirling These around facilities on theshould court’ be area joy made. to play changed. Photo reviews of challenged shots are Watching a late-afternoon match in Brisbane, I became expected. Physios, and even coaches, are called on disturbed by the amount of heavy shadow across court for treatment and advice.