August | September 2016 50 SOMETHING Australia’s over-50s magazine Pokémon Go A Grandparent’s Guide More for Less Building A Tiny House Winter Warmer Hot Chocolate Fondant DIY Aged Care All You Need to Know William Finnegan’s Barbarian Days Tavarua, Kirra, Grajagan 50 SOMETHING Australia’s over-50s magazine 50 SOMETHING August | September 2016 Contents 20 Passage of Time At 50, Marina Benjamin reflects on ageing and her relationship with her daughter. 22 Castles & Concerts Waltz King Andre Rieu’s original plan was to run a pizza joint. Then something changed. Rosemary Desmond asks what. 25 DIY Aged Care People are choosing to go aged care alone. Before you do, lawyer Margaret Arthur says there are things to consider. 29 On The Up Social security thresholds change once a year to reflect inflation. 18 Bragging Writes G-Land, Tavarua, Kirra. Pulitzer Prize winner The Financial Information Desk explains. William Finnegan relives a surfing life. By Sarah Saunders 33 Spot the Difference Skin cancer rates amongst the over 50s are rising. FIRST UP Here’s what to look out for. FIRST UP 9 Letters 12 News 14 Executive Moves 16 Campaigns Letters News Executive Moves Campaigns EPICUREAN EPICUREAN 35 Books & Movies 36 Top Shelf A portrait of Barry Humphries has just won the Archibald Prize. Natalie Wilson describes the winning entry. 38 Big Idea McMansions are officially out. Kaye Healey joins a growing social movement with a tiny house. 40 Sublime Dining Queenstown’s Botswana Butchery shares a house special – hot Books and Movies Top Shelf Food Life chocolate fondant. TIME OUT TIME OUT 7 5 6 S T S U B M A R I N E S 45 Tech Spec Pokemon Go P I 7A N O A P E O I O U O V E R T A K E N 48 Puzzles Crossword, Sudoku, Jumble 1 8 3 O R N A T E K L I L A C S 4 7 9 5 L1 O T S A E X I T G E T 50 The Last Word L P I L O T S H E R O 1 2 4 N E V E R S T R A D E R E R I D S U S E R M 8 W R A S S E I S P I N S 2 E I 5R E P M O T T O E S S E S O U P I O R A L 3 9 6 Cover: A Writer Who Surfs Pulitzer Prize winner T I A R A S L D E N O T E B A G I T A T E D B V William Finnegan, Festival Delle Letterature, 7 3 8 S T N E X I © Tech Spec Puzzles L Crossword L TheE Last Word Rome 2016 Photo: Ernesto Ruscio/Getty E X P O S I T I O N N E 5 50 SOMETHING Australia’s over-50s magazine EPICUREAN 50 SOMETHING August | September 2016 Editor This issue marks the first To complement Dagmar’s appearance of National Seniors’ commercial focus I have been new chief executive officer Dagmar appointed dedicated chief Parsons. In a departure from the advocate. As many of you know, traditional non-profit membership I have been with National Seniors organisation CEO, Dagmar comes for over a decade working in to the position with impressive tandem with two previous CEOs business credentials and an eye on lobbying, media, policy and, to driving sustainability. Read of course, this, our little magazine. what she has to say on page 14. I know the issues, and, from Advocacy, “our most important your letters and emails, I know role” as described by chairman your stories. Please keep them David Carvosso, costs money (see coming because I’m passionate page 50). Self-sufficiency builds about ensuring they are heard. resources and allows us a fearless independence in representing the interests of older Australians. Sarah Saunders CONTRIBUTORS Kaye Healey is a retired Marina Benjamin is the author Publisher educational publisher of social of Rocket Dreams, shortlisted for National Seniors Australia issues, an author and Jungian the Eugene Emme Award, and A.B.N. 89 050 523 003 counsellor and is the founder of Last Days in Babylon, longlisted A Women’s Spiritual Community. for the Wingate Prize. She has ISSN 1835–5404 She funds and operates a written for British broadsheets compassionate outreach and served as arts editor at the project to comfort and clothe New Statesman and deputy arts Editor homeless people in Sydney editor at the Evening Standard. Kaye Healey Marina Benjamin Sarah Saunders www.womensspiritualcommunity. She is senior editor at Aeon. com.au s.saunders@ nationalseniors.com.au Busy mum Reena Bilen strives Rosemary Desmond is a to share the best information 50 something staff writer and National Advertising Manager about what to do with kids in her National Seniors media adviser. Mark Smith local area. Her blog The Mummy Originally from New Zealand, [email protected] Project is an online magazine Rosemary has worked in Australia covering family attractions, for over 30 years, most of that activities and events in the time as a journalist for Australian Newcastle & Hunter region Associated Press in Sydney and National Office Reena Bilen of New South Wales. Rosemary Desmond in Brisbane. Level 18 See www.themummyproject.com 215 Adelaide Street Brisbane Q 4000 Natalie Wilson is curator of Craig Hall is manager of Phone: 07 3233 9191 Australian & Pacific art at the National Seniors’ new Financial AGNSW. Recently she curated the Information Desk (FID). Craig has Fax: 07 3211 9339 exhibition Plumes and pearlshells: worked in the financial services art of the New Guinea highlands industry for 25 years including www.nationalseniors.com.au and Painter in Paradise: William 11 providing independent Dobell in New Guinea for the financial information to consumers S.H. Ervin Gallery, home to the through the respected but Natalie Wilson ‘alternative’ Archibald Prize, Craig Hall now defunct Canberra-based the Salon des Refusés. government-funded NICRI agency. Printed by Horizon Media National Seniors Australia [NSA] accepts no responsibility for the form of endorsement by NSA of that person, organisation, product accuracy or completeness of any material herein and recommends or service. NSA disclaims to the extent permitted by law all liability readers exercise their own skill and care with respect to the for claims, losses, expenses, damages and costs the reader may contents of the magazine. The magazine contains views and or incur as a result of, or associated with, the use of the information recommendations which do not necessarily reflect the views of contained herein for any reason whatsoever. The publisher reserves NSA or its commitment to a particular course of action. A reference the right to accept or reject any advertising or editorial matter. to a particular person, product, organisation or service in an No part of this magazine may be reproduced, reprinted or advertisement or elsewhere in the magazine in no way implies any otherwise duplicated without written permission of the publisher. 6 In the mid-seventies, Bert Martin and Everald Compton recognised the need for an independent organisation to represent the interests of Australia’s 2.9 million people aged 50 and over. Later Years was established and had 1,800 members by the end of the first month. By the end of the first year, membership of the organisation had grown to 5,000. While many things have changed since 1976, one thing has remained constant – our mission to advance the interests On 1 July 1976, of Australia’s over 50s. We’ve notched up some remarkable achievements such as abolishing the age limit on compulsory Australia’s first woman in superannuation, gaining historic age pension increases, protecting the family home in the aged care reform process and Cabinet, Dame Enid Lyons securing resources for mature age workers. launched Later Years, the Now, 40 years on, with 200,000 members nationwide, we’re recognised as Australia’s leading independent voice of the over organisation now known as 50s. It’s only with the support of our members that our voice continues to be heard on the issues that matter. National Seniors Australia. We’re celebrating this milestone with a special anniversary membership offer that’s available for 40 days and our branches are hosting a series of events. Visit nationalseniors.com.au/40years for more information. Join or renew today – 2 years for the price of 1* From just $40 a year, membership includes these great benefits: ■ Subscription to 50 something, our award winning ■ Great savings on domestic and international travel lifestyle magazine ■ A range of affordable insurance products ■ Access to independent financial information through ■ A network of 130 community branches National Seniors Financial Information Desk nationwide ■ Exclusive offers through our Member Benefits ■ Access to world class research program Join us before 9 September 2016 and you’ll receive 2 years for the price of 1! Quote promo code 40YEARS. Call 1300 76 50 50 or visit nationalseniors.com.au/40years. *Offer valid until 9 September 2016. Not valid with any other offer. 50 SOMETHING Australia’s over-50s magazine FIRST UP 50 SOMETHING August | September 2016 LETTERS Reminder of youth Had successive governments continued this scheme, there would be no need for the overpriced, extensive financial It was interesting reading the Chairman’s reminiscences planning industry and pensioners would not be condemned in the June/July issue of 50 something as it reminded me to a hand-to-mouth existence. In reality, the National Welfare of my early youth.