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ARTIST IN PROFILE
Autumn Issue 2017A FREE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE FOR THE OVER 50s
IS ONE WORKOUT
A WEEK ENOUGH?
Setting achievable goals
PURPLE PRIDEIncreasing awareness of epilepsy worldwide
Peter Hiller
prime times
The South Eastern Community Care team is gearing up to move to its new headquarters.
AUTUMN 2017
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ON THE COVER
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFULArtist in profile.
Peter Hiller's 'Sandown Birds'.
Peter is known for his large watercolour paintings and drawings of the Hobart waterfront and landscapes.
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A HISTORICAL MOVE
GRASSROOTS ARTIST
ROCK 'N' ROLL
SHELL STRINGING
"Art is just so immersive for me and I love being able to create beautiful things that bring people joy" - Margaret Jones.
You're never too old to rock 'n' roll!
Uncovering the ancient art of shell stringing.Photo credit: Lucia Ross. Image courtesy of Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
Tracey Wright 6210 5201
ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL
[email protected] GPO Box 1600, Hobart TAS 7001
www.primetimes.com.au
prime times
Winter 2017 Issue Deadlines:Booking/Editorial: Monday 8 MayMaterial: Monday 15 MayDistributed: Early June 2017
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Inspiration for garden lovers
See page 25 for our Autumn gardening tips!
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You’re never too old to rock ‘n’ roll
IT was a blast from the past at Aveo Derwent Waters when the national “Aveo Rocks Summer Tour” rolled into Claremont in Hobart’s northern suburbs.
Visiting more than 20 Aveo retirement communities across Australia, the music event was proclaimed a resounding success with more than 70 residents and members of the public in attendance.
Local tribute band The Breed performed classic rock ‘n’ roll hits to keep the dance floor alive and attendees were encouraged to frock up and shake it to their favourite tunes.
Aveo Derwent Waters village manager Brittany Collidge said the event was “an absolute blast”.
“It was great for residents and members of the community to relive the good times of the ‘50s and ‘60s,” she said.
“For some residents, it was the best afternoon they have had in 10 years.” n
Frocking up: Aveo Derwent Water residents Elsie Langworthy, left, and Fay LeFevre, and below, Esme Berger.
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IT was another fabulous evening of fun and dance at the 2017 Glenview Summer Ball in February, with residents, staff, friends and family swinging their hips to their favourite dance hits.
A highlight of the Glenview Community Services social calendar, the gala event welcomes people of all ages from the Glenview community to join in the fun, with more than 80 dancers hitting the floor for the 2017 ball.
Glenview residents always relish the opportunity to frock up, picking out their finest evening wears weeks, and sometimes months, before the event.
With a stockpile of suits, dresses, boutonnieres and corsages on hand for the less prepared, Glenview ensured no-one missed out on the authentic ballroom experience.
A dance floor filled with spritely “movers and shakers” were led by a live band playing familiar ballroom tunes, with impressive spins and twists seen throughout the evening.
The much-coveted Belle and Beau of the Ball were announced at the night’s closing to great applause.
Glenview Community Services chief executive officer Lucy O’Flaherty said she was thrilled the event turned out to
be such a success. “The summer ball is always a big
occasion at Glenview, and it was fantastic to see everyone having so much fun,” she said.
“There’s nothing that puts a smile on someone’s face like getting dressed up and having a bit of dance.
“All credit must go to our wonderful staff and volunteers who worked tirelessly to make the evening so special for everyone involved.”
Glenview Community Services runs a host of social events throughout the year, with St Patrick’s Day and Easter festivities just around the corner n
Having a ball: Glenview dancers kick up their heels
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AS Australia’s second oldest city, Hobart boasts an extremely rich and diverse history.
But according to former teacher and long-time history enthusiast Barry Stubbs, many local residents may be unaware of the historic treasures that are located right on their doorsteps.
As a tour guide for Hobart Historic Tours, Mr Stubbs knows all too well the hidden gems of the area.
“From Australia’s oldest pub, the Hope & Anchor, to the demolished gaol and the cemetery that was once located at St David’s Park, there is just so much history that locals may not be aware of,” Mr Stubbs said.
“Through the tours we offer, both local residents and tourists alike can discover Hobart on foot and hear the fascinating stories of how Tasmania’s capital was established and how it has become the vibrant waterfront city it is today.”
Run by Premier Travel, Hobart Historic
Tours offers three unique experiences – the Hobart Historic Walk, the Grand Hobart Walk and the Old Hobart Pub Tour, ranging from one-and-a-half to three-hours.
Mr Stubbs said he believed it was the tour guides’ passion for their work that made these tours so uniquely special.
“I think what sets us apart from similar tours in the Hobart area is that each of our guides bring the stories they tell to life – we all have our own different experiences and favourite tales to share,” he said.
“For instance, my favourite characters of choice are Sir Henry Jones, who owned the big jam factory on the waterfront, and Mary McLauchlan, who was the first woman to meet her death by hanging in Van Diemen’s Land.
“As a tour guide and history lover, I find it is always the stories and never the dates and facts that stay with people long after the tour is over.”
He said he hoped that educating locals about the city’s history would go a long way to preserving Hobart’s heritage.
“A lot of tourists from the mainland tell me about how many of their heritage buildings have been demolished and that it would be such a shame if that were to happen here.
“Hobart is such a fantastic place to live in and visit because of our rich history, so it is important that we are aware of what is around us so we can work to preserve our beautiful heritage buildings and history for future generations to enjoy.”
Hobart Historic Tours operates from Wednesday to Sunday with each tour departing from the Hobart Travel Centre, located on the corner of Davey and Elizabeth streets in Hobart.
For more information, visit www.hobarthistorictours.com.au, email [email protected] or phone 6234 5550 n
History tours shine a light on Hobart’s dark past
Barry Stubbs, of Hobart, points out the Sir Henry Jones memorial at Hunter Street to a group of cruise ship passengers visiting Hobart.
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Need medical care after hours? Tas After Hours online directory has all the contacts you’ll need.
Use the new mobile-friendly website to find an after hours GP or chemist open near you. The healthdirect helpline lets you speak with a registered nurse. You can also save your own GP’s number. They may have after hours options you are unaware of.So visit the website today and save the app to your home screen. www.tasafterhours.com healthdirect helpline: 1800 022 222
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Guesdon portrait finds new home
Pictured: Chris Guesdon next to a framed portrait of Queen Victoria Home’s benefactor, William Andrew Guesdon, which is hanging on loan in the Guesdon Lounge for staff and residents to appreciate.
Mr Guesdon and his family spent their formative years living in the Lindisfarne home of the current property.
He recently joined with chairman Ken Stewart to name the lounge in recognition of the Guesdon bequest to the QVC which commenced in 1898. The photograph is believed to be about 160-years old.
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Purple pride: increasing awareness of epilepsy worldwide
DURING March, Tasmanians are encouraged to “go purple” and end the stigma and discrimination of epilepsy by wearing its international colour.
Epilepsy is a common brain disorder that takes the form of recurring seizures and can develop at any age regardless of gender or ethnicity.
An estimated 65 million people around the world, including 20,000 Tasmanians, live with epilepsy; one in 25 of us will develop epilepsy at some point in our life and one in 10 people will experience a seizure.
According to the World Health Organisation: “Epilepsy is arguably the world’s most stigmatised, misunderstood and under-resourced of all health conditions” and “the social consequences of epilepsy are often more difficult to overcome than the seizures themselves.”
Epilepsy Tasmania chief executive officer Wendy Groot says all Tasmanians should be more compassionate of the fact that one person’s epilepsy can impact upon many people’s lives.
“Family, friends, carers, colleagues and employers of people with epilepsy can all be affected in some way,” she said.
“Increasing our general awareness
and understanding of the disorder is a vital part of improving the lives of fellow Tasmanians who live or are affected by epilepsy.”
To help increase community awareness, Epilepsy Tasmania has forged new partnerships with organisations such as Blooming Tasmania and the Port Arthur Lavender Farm.
The Port Arthur Lavender Farm will open its property on Sunday 12 March for a fun family day what will showcase the benefits of soothing lavender to our health and introduce Epilepsy Tasmania’s new slogan, “Donate to the Lavender”.
Donate to the Lavender bumper stickers can be purchased from Epilepsy Tasmania and offer the chance to win prizes if randomly spotted on your vehicle during March.
Blooming Tasmania, the industry body for garden tourism operators in Tasmania, has made Epilepsy Tasmania its charity of choice this year and is supporting its inaugural “Open Gardens for Epilepsy” March events around the state.
Further events and details can be found on Epilepsy Tasmania’s website www.epilepsytasmania.org.au or phone 1300 852 853 n
More than skin deep: the health benefits of lavender
• Known for its wide range of applications, from food and fragrance to cosmetics and herbal medicine, the lavender plant (the most common of which is “lavandula angustifolia”) is packed with essential oils that can have powerful effects on the human body.
• So, we’ve all heard about the benefits of using lavender to soothe anxiety and stress – in both the body and mind, but did you know that lavender is also an effective sleep remedy?
• Sufferers of insomnia, apnoea or restless sleep patterns would be familiar with the practice of steeping a lavender-infused tea before bed time, however, lavender can also be combined with meditation techniques, either in essential oil or aromatherapy form, to help induce sleep and relaxation.
• Lavender contains very potent anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, which help to ease sore and aching muscles. It also works well as an antiseptic to heal wounds and prevent the development of infections.
• The polyphenols found in lavender are proven to help combat the development of harmful bacteria in the gut and, in turn, ease stomach discomfort, reduce bloating and eliminate cramping.
• The relaxing qualities of lavender can also have a positive effect on our hearts by reducing blood pressure and easing the tension of blood vessels, thereby helping to lower the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
TMAG commemorates 1967 Tasmanian bushfires
AN exhibition that commemorates the 50th anniversary of one of the state’s most catastrophic natural disasters has opened in Hobart.
Presented by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG), “One Hell of an Inferno: The 1967 Tasmanian Bushfires” tells the story of the fires that engulfed south-eastern Tasmania on 7 February, how they occurred, their impact on people, communities and the environment, and why they could happen again.
The exhibition opened on 15 December 2016 and will be on show until 19 March 2017.
TMAG director Janet Carding said the exhibition provided opportunities for Tasmanians who lived through the “Black Tuesday” tragedy to share their personal stories and experiences.
“The exhibition is very important to TMAG as it represents a genuine collaboration within the Tasmanian community to create a focal point for people to come together to remember
and learn about this major event that occurred 50-years-ago,” she said.
Ms Carding said TMAG also worked with the community to borrow photos, film footage and objects collected at the time.
“We have also included several of the oral histories recorded in the Tasmania Fire Service video story booth that has been travelling around the state for the past year,” she said.
As part of the 1967 Tasmanian Bushfires commemorations, TMAG held a Community Bushfire Day on 5 February, which explored the role fire plays in the state’s landscape and lifestyle.
The museum marked the 50th anniversary of the fires with a special ceremony on 7 February.
The exhibition received funding support from the Tasmanian Community Fund.
TMAG is open daily from 10am until 4pm. Admission to the exhibition is free n
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Official launch photos: Photography by Karen Brown. Historical images: Courtesy of Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. Background image: Courtesy of Tasmanian Archive and Heritage Office.
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ENTERTAINMENT
INTERNATIONALLY renowned cabaret and burlesque performers, circus acrobatics, variety shows and a wide spectrum of musical talent are among the attractions set to wow spectators at this year’s instalment of Spiegeltent Hobart.
Presented by Strut & Fret Production House in association with Ten Days on the Island, the 2017 program kicks off on 9 March with a free evening of entertainment, including a premiere performance by headline act, the award-winning ARIA nominated show Velvet, pictured above.
Organisers are expecting big crowds and even bigger laughs with the announcement of an impressive collection of national comedy heavy weights to descend on the Princes Wharf No.1 forecourt.
Among these is five-time winner of the People’s Choice Award at the
Melbourne Comedy Festival and host of ABC TV’s “Gruen”, Wil Anderson, with his new show, “Critically Will”.
Other comedic highlights include Tassie local Luke McGregor – Australia’s “favourite awkward”, “Whose Line is it Anyway” star Tommy Little, YouTube sensation The Axis of Awesome, multi-award winning entertainer Tom Ballard and festival favourites Hannah Gadsby, Tom Gleeson and Charlie Pickering.
Lior and Paul Grabowsky will be making their musical debut, along with former Jo Jo Zep and The Falcons front man, Joe Camilleri, who will be bringing his classic sax sound back to the travelling tent with his band, The Black Sorrows.
The tunes will continue with ARIA Award nominated band The Wilson Pickers, golden girl Beccy Cole, who joins forces with acclaimed jazz artist
Libby O’Donovan in The Cowgirl and The Showgirl, Things of Stone and Wood, artists Katie Noonan and Karin Schaupp, and musical comedy trio The Kransky Sisters, who will whip up a storm with their show, “Piece of Cake”.
Taking the tempo up a notch will be Djuki Mala (“Chooky Dancer”) presenting their high-energy and unique fusion of traditional Yolngu and contemporary pop-culture, dance and storytelling.
Meanwhile Kevin Quantum, Scotland’s magician-scientist hybrid, and his striking light-based illusions will be sure to captivate n
When: 9 March - 1 April 2017Where: PW1. Castray Esplanade, Hobart.
Tickets are now on sale atwww.spiegeltenthobart.com
Spiegeltent extravaganza to cast its spell on Hobart
MOTHER-OF-TWO Pippa Johnstone, of Lauderdale, knows what it’s like to need medical help when regular services are shut.
“It can be pretty frightening when one moment your baby seems happy and healthy and the next they’re screaming and covered in a nasty-looking rash,” Ms Johnstone said.
“Unfortunately it always seems to happen in the middle of the night or when we’re at the shack, away from our regular doctor and chemist.
“Every parent wants to do what’s best and safest for their child and so the temptation is to go to hospital – just in case.”
Primary Health Tasmania has launched a new education and awareness campaign aiming to guide Tasmanians to the best options for after-hours medical care.
The Tas After Hours website (www.tasafterhours.com) features information on a free web app, which allows people to contact their doctor, call the government-funded healthdirect helpline or another helpline, and find an open GP, pharmacy or emergency department nearby.
In the case of a medical emergency, people can also use the app to call an ambulance.
“Having someone at the end of the phone to provide advice on what might be wrong and whether we can wait until the morning to see a doctor can be very reassuring,” Ms Johnstone said.
Primary Health Tasmania chief executive officer Phil Edmondson said research undertaken to guide the campaign indicated that if people needed medical care unexpectedly, around half of them considered calling an ambulance or going to a hospital department.
“More than a quarter of the people we interviewed weren’t aware of any after-hours telephone or online assistance where they could get professional advice,” he said.
Ambulance Tasmania’s manager statewide services, Garry White, said making the right choice for after-hours medical care could free up emergency services for life threatening emergencies.
“We hope this campaign will help point people to the most appropriate services for the level of care they need, so Ambulance Tasmania can have the best possible chance of quickly responding to a car crash or suspected heart attack," he said n
The after-hours period is:• before 8am and later than 6pm on weekdays.• before 8am and after 12pm on Saturdays.• all day Sunday and public holidays.
Campaign points to right medical care after hours
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THE Tasmanian aged care and disability services sector experienced significant change in 2015/16, and there is more to come, says Community Based Support chief executive officer Murray Coates.
While CBS, a Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation, has provided home and community care services in this community for 27 years, more recently it has been offering National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) services across the state following its expansion.
“We have kept a watching brief and played an active role on the roll out of the federal government’s aged care reforms, the expansion of the NDIS and the transition to consumer directed care,” Mr Coates said.
“While the proposed changes can be confusing for clients, broadly speaking
the sector will transition from a block grant-based system (where essentially we find clients) to a consumer directed care model (where we hold funds on behalf of clients).”
CBS is a major supporter of client choice where people who can should have control over their individual circumstances.
Mr Coates said CBS’ focus was to make the transition as painless, but as impactful, as possible.
“The changes have been on the government’s agenda for some time,” he said.
“The CBS Board and management expected that the changes would be significant, so it was an important process for CBS to be closely involved with.”
Mr Coates said CBS was investing in
its people to help its clients and the broader community understand and then transition from the old system to the new system.
“As we see it, our job is to make the transition happen as smoothly as possible,” he said.
“CBS has a strategy map to take us through to 2019 that is in lock step with the government’s changes – it simply states that CBS supports individuals to live the life they choose, that we want to maximise client independence and deliver high quality services that meet customer needs.”
Mr Coates noted that while change could be difficult to accept, and it could be difficult to understand at times, not-for-profit organisations like CBS were well-placed to manage these changes n
Greater choice and flexibility for consumers
Consumer Directed CareThe Federal Government says that the CDC model will give older Australians greater flexibility and choice over the care they receive.
Under the new model, clients will have the flexibility to move between service providers as they see fit.
It will be easier for people to change providers if they wish. And if a person makes a change, that person’s funding for a package follows them to their new provider. CBS has developed systems to make this seamless.
While people obviously do not have to change providers if they are happy with their current level of service, the choice is entirely up to them.
The government says the changes will also improve transparency for older Australians, who are given a personal budget that clearly outlines all their care and services costs, subsidies, supplements, fees and charges.
The transition period for these changes, which started on 27 February 2017, will last until June 2018.
AGED CARE
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IN 2014, South Eastern Community Care (SEC Care) made a leap of faith towards owning its own headquarters by purchasing the former Sorell Council Chambers.
Three years on, after extensive renovations and hours of hard work at the 12 Somerville Street site, the SEC Care team is geared up to move into its new headquarters.
SEC Care chief executive officer Helen Pollard says the heritage-listed building was home to the Sorell Council for many years and prior to that, it was the site of the second oldest gaol in Tasmania – the foundations of which are still under the current building.
“Our new location is rich in history and full of character. SEC Care is proud to call the building home and we look forward to many years of delivering services through our new headquarters,” she said.
“Some of our clients and the community will have already had the
pleasure of getting to know the building through our Sorell Day Centre, which has been operating out of the building since 2015.”
Amid all the changes impacting the Australian aged care industry, Ms Pollard says it was fitting that SEC Care was also going through a change.
“Moving to a new location has allowed us to develop changes to help adapt to the new aged care environment,” she said.
“For example, we are opening a My Aged Care kiosk at our new headquarters, which has been designed to assist new clients to navigate around the new online portal and successfully register to the government program.
“We know some people in the community have had difficulties with the new online portal, so we invite people who need help to come in and let our friendly SEC Care staff take them through the kiosk.”
Ms Pollard said the new location also
had a large outdoor area, which had already played host to the organisation’s first community expo in October 2016.
“With this newfound space, we are also looking to expand our day centre activities to include gardening and outdoor activities,” she said.
SEC Care is a Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation. Operating for more than 40-years, it provides quality care and support services to frail aged and disabled members of the community, as well as individuals with special needs.
SEC Care offers a range of flexible in-home, community support and centre-based services to people living in rural and regional areas of Tasmania, predominately in the south and south-east of the state.
To keep up-to-date with SEC Care and to read about the services provided, follow the organisation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/secommunitycare, or visit the website at www.secommunitycare.com.au n
South Eastern Community Care takes historical move
Smiles all round: South Eastern Community Care’s new headquarters has been the home of its Sorell Day Centre since 2015.
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ART FEATURE
FROM the moment she stepped into an art studio during a compulsory secondary school art class, Margaret Jones knew she had discovered her passion.
From life drawing and watercolours to ceramics and graphic design, she cherished every second and better yet, she had a natural affinity for it.
“Everything I tried I instantly enjoyed,” the 58-year-old Margate woman admits.
“When I start drawing, I just enter my own little world and sometimes won’t emerge for hours at a time.
“Art is just so immersive for me and I love being able to create beautiful things that bring people joy.”
Envisioning a bright future as an artist ahead of her, Margaret jumped at the opportunity to attend the Caulfield Institute of Technology in Melbourne – now Chrisholm University, which boasted the number one graphic design class available at the time.
But this was not to be, as six-months into her three-year degree she was forced to drop out and look for paid work due to family circumstances.
Fast-forward several years and Margaret began training as a psychiatric nurse at Aradale Asylum, a mental health hospital located in Ararat, Victoria.
With a versatile personality that allowed her to excel in any role, she soon found herself working full-time in community psychiatric nursing and forensic psychiatry.
“What followed was a 20-year career in psychiatric nursing,” she says.
“My husband, Colin, encouraged me to continue my art as a hobby, but with two young daughters and a high-stress job, I just didn’t have enough time to fully dedicate myself to it.
“Instead, I balanced out my high-stress job with gardening, which gave me an outlet for my creativity through landscaping.”
In 2004, Margaret was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS), a neurological condition that worsens over time.
Symptoms of intense fatigue, intolerance to heat and poor concentration were the catalyst for a massive life change that saw her move
to Tasmania with her family in 2007. “All of a sudden I had a life that was
stress-free, compared to the incredibly high responsibility job that, some days, was literally a matter of life and death,” Margaret recounts.
“However, even though I was no longer working, I was still busy playing the stay-at-home mum and ‘estate manager’ for our acreage home in Margate.
“A couple of years ago, by chance, I met internationally renowned calligrapher Gemma Black and decided to attend one of her beginner calligraphy classes.
“Instantly, I remembered how much I loved creating art, and working with calligraphy was something that I had never done before, which was very exciting.
“I went on to attend her weekly ‘Lettering Shed’ class – something I still do to this day – and it has inspired me to branch out into more pictorial work such as eco-dyed papers, Celtic decorative art and illuminations.”
With an artistic body of work now
Artist rekindles her passion
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A UNIQUE stamp project is leaving its mark on the Tasmanian tourism industry by gifting the state’s visitors with beautiful reminders of Tasmania’s many landmarks and attractions.
Developed by Kaye Green, of Austins Ferry, the “Tiger Track” project has seen the introduction of 140 custom-designed stamps in places and spaces across Tasmania.
Kaye’s creations can be found on board the Spirit of Tasmania, at Visitor Information Centres, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Port Arthur Historic Site, Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, Moonah Arts Centre and even the Granton service station.
She says the idea for Tiger Track was born following a yearlong visit to Japan as a teenager.
“I attended a Japanese high school and during my travels at that time, I found that many tourist destinations and temples offered rubber stamp impressions and special tourist booklets, which I loved collecting,” she says.
“After completing art degrees in both Tasmania and the United States, I made it my mission to bring this unique Japanese experience to my home state.”
An avid stamp collector for many years, Kaye says she often houses visitors from interstate and overseas, which has contributed to her viewing Tasmania “partly as a tourist and partly as a person born and bred in the state.”
“The goal of Tiger Track is to encourage tourists and, especially, families to experience the fun of collecting stamps,” she says.
“There is also the added challenge of locating the elusive Tasmanian Tiger stamp, which ‘moves’ secretly around the different sites.
“Tasmania’s visitors can then create a souvenir booklet filled with beautiful stamps, which can be kept as a lasting memento of their journey.”
Located at each of the stamp collection venues is a stamp and inkpad.
Kaye says tourists are encouraged to stamp directly into their own travel journal or into one of the custom-designed Tiger Track stamp collection booklets.
Plastic pouches and lanyards with a blank book for collecting stamps are also available for purchase at many of the venues.
Kaye is confident that this “rather quirky” activity could have a significant impact on Tasmanian tourism.
“It gives families a reason to extend their stay, and tourists are already using the list of stamp venues from the Tiger Track website as a way of planning their Tasmanian holiday,” she says.
Kaye currently works full-time from her studio at Austins Ferry crafting relief prints, collages and oil paintings, as well as personally designing the unique rubber stamps.
For more information about the stamp project and to follow its journey, visit www.tigertrack.com.au n
behind her, Margaret decided to take a leap of faith and enter her artwork into the 2016 Kingborough Art Prize Exhibition and Sale.
Curated by the Lions Club of Kingborough, the exhibition sees artists judged by an independent, professional panel with the chance of taking home either $1,000 or $600 in prize money.
All artwork exhibited is also available for purchase.
Surrounded by well-known Tasmanian artists, Margaret admits that the prospect of entering the exhibition had originally been “quite daunting.”
“Going in, I was simply hoping that my artwork would hold up to the standards of the exhibition and I think I did quite admirably, selling two out of my three pieces,” she says.
With her past success now spurring her on, Margaret has re-entered the exhibition again this year, this time trialling a different style in an effort to gauge public interest.
This was in preparation for potentially starting her own art show, she says.
“I want to see what styles of art people most enjoy as I someday want to host a ‘one-woman show’ and have it be at least mildly successful.
“I’ve always wanted to produce art for a living, creating what I think are beautiful pieces of art at affordable prices.
“It is never too late to pursue your dreams and even with my PPMS, producing art is something that I can do long into my old age.”
For more information, email [email protected].
For more information about Gemma Black’s Lettering Shed, visit www.gemmablack.com n
Tasmanian stamps making an impact
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Artist in profile
Name: Peter Hiller Age: 78 Location: Sandy Bay, Hobart
PETER Hiller is a Tasmanian artist with an academic background in visual art education.
He is well known for his large watercolour paintings and drawings of the Hobart waterfront and local street and landscapes.
Since 2007, Peter has been working with acrylics on canvas and has yearly solo exhibitions at the Colville Street Gallery in Battery Point.
He began his lengthy career as an art teacher on King Island, taught at schools
The bold and the beautiful
ART FEATURE
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SHELL stringing dates back at least 2000 years, but thanks to a new wave of Tasmanian “stringers” this ancient – but evolving – art form is enjoying a revival in communities around the state.
A national touring exhibition presented by the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) is celebrating the generation of makers who have sustained this uniquely Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural practice.
The exhibition, titled kanalaritja: An Unbroken String, features a variety of beautiful, delicate and rare shell necklaces created by Tasmanian Aboriginal ancestors during the 1800s.
A number of items on show have also been fashioned by modern-day makers, including women who have had the opportunity to learn the tradition through the “luna tunapri” (women’s knowledge) cultural revitalisation project.
The museum has been working with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community since 2010 to facilitate a number of luna tunapri workshops in which women – who had not had shell stringing passed down through their families – were guided through the intricate processes of collecting, cleaning and stringing.
Participants were also encouraged to look into their local areas for shell
collecting beaches and to use their newfound knowledge to develop their own distinctive shell stringing styles and traditions.
Building on the success of the project, the women aspired to share their journey with the wider public, leading to the creation of kanalaritja: An Unbroken String.
“Shell stringing has never before been the focus of a touring exhibition, nor has it been comprehensively documented in a dedicated publication,” says Janet Carding, director at TMAG.
“Museums and galleries hold and care for materials that represent many thousands of years of cultural heritage … it is a privilege to play a part in helping those treasures form a link to the future by supporting today’s artists and to help ensure that their practice continues to thrive for the benefit of all.”
kanalaritja: An Unbroken String is accompanied by a dedicated publication featuring a range of essays and photographs that provide a definitive account of shell stringing.
Young visitors can also follow the kanalaritja trail around the exhibition.
kanalaritja: An Unbroken String is on show at TMAG until 21 May 2017, before touring nationally n
Exhibition explores the ancient art of shell stringing
in Hobart and Burnie, lectured at the Hobart Teachers College, the Tasmanian School of Art and spent more than 20 years in charge of art education at the Faculty of Education at the University of Tasmania.
During this time, he held numerous administrative positions including the deputy head of faculty, academic dean and treasurer of the national Institute of Art Education. He was awarded a Visiting Fellowship at the Institute of Education at London University and was a guest lecturer in art education at Columbia University, New York.
While some of his work is devoted to capturing the images, colours and textures present in the Tasmanian landscape, Peter says he is also interested in the "spontaneous gestural effects of line, colour and texture for their own sake.”
“I believe there is an influence of the French moderns in my work and I am sure that my years teaching contemporary art school graduates have also had a positive effect on me,” he says.
“As an artist who sells work, I do have problems trying to come to some compromise between my own personal preferences and those of the public. I suppose this is why I have always been interested in art education and the fostering of appreciation.”
You can discover more of Peter Hillers’ work online via his blog: http://pehiller.blogspot.com.au n
Photo credit: Lucia Ross. Image courtesy of Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.
20
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21
COTA Tasmania invited Dr Peta Cook, Senior Lecturer of Sociology at the University of Tasmania, to be guest speaker at our AGM late last year.
We’d been impressed by an arts-based project she’d led in the north of state that invited older people to take digital images of how they viewed themselves and their experience of ageing.
The photographs from the project were displayed in a Launceston exhibition called “Reclaiming the self: How older people perceive and experience their ageing”.
Many photos were surprising and delightful and caused a stir at the AGM when Dr Cook showed a presentation of not only the photographs, but also the back-stories of the people who had created them.
Which leads me to the discussion of “how do we view ourselves?” and the bigger question, “how does community view older people?”
This is a topic that is hotly debated by COTA in Tasmania and by our counterparts across Australia.
Our communities and societies often
portray older people as a burden, in decline and suffering. It has become a master narrative in the media and amongst politicians, to which we always react in horror: “That is not me! I am not that older person, I am still out and about and active and doing things within the community.”
COTA Tasmania is currently making recommendations to the Tasmanian Government about the proposed future Active Ageing Plan for the state.
This project includes us seeking to identify barriers that may exist for older people to be “active”.
By active, we do not necessarily mean regular or strenuous exercise; we mean being able to be part of your community, not necessarily active in observable ways.
If we are consistently exposed to negative attitudes and styles of language, there is a tendency for people to disengage and turn inward.
As such, COTA will always be a strong advocate against ageism and ageist attitudes and we want to foster intergenerational knowledge and understanding to avoid this, not only
for older people, but also for younger generations as well. Labels can hurt at times and we should be a more caring society.
Some of Dr Cooks’ project work highlighting the experiences of older Tasmanians will be part of a broader COTA Tasmania involvement at this year's Ten Days on the Island festival.
We will be holding a forum at the Long Gallery on 23 March 2017 as part of the Proof Of Life Open Studio, where we hope to challenge some of the ideas and concepts about older peoples’ experiences.
We will be joined at the forum by artists and policy experts to challenge the notions: “Is survival a sufficient condition for our existence, or is there more to being older?” and “What is required from our environment for us to thrive as we age?”
Please contact our office if you are interested in this event: [email protected] or 6231 3265.
SUE LEITCH Chief Executive Officer COTA
How do we view ourselves?
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
22
SIXTEEN-years-ago Jane Garvey made a discovery that changed her life forever.
On an ordinary morning while taking a shower, the 55-year-old discovered a lump on her left breast that would later be diagnosed as a stage two-three carcinoma.
Following a radical mastectomy, six-months of chemotherapy and six-weeks of radiation, she was given the all-clear – but this was not to last.
During a routine yearly mammogram in 2013, a small lesion about five-millimetres in size was discovered in her right breast and was diagnosed as a triple negative breast cancer, a completely different type of cancer from her previous experience.
Following another round of chemotherapy, a mastectomy and a breast reconstruction, Jane now carries the title of a two-time cancer survivor.
“When I first heard the words ‘you have breast cancer’, I wasn’t quite sure what that meant and what the implications of the diagnosis was going to be,” says the Montrose resident.
“I really didn’t realise how hard the cancer journey was going to be – yes, I knew I had to have surgery and chemotherapy and radiation, but until you have experienced it yourself or you know someone who has gone through it, it’s very hard to explain.
“Your life is on hold for six-months while you are being ferried from one appointment to another. You think it’s never going to end, but it does, and I think I’m a stronger person for it now.”
In an effort to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA), Jane decided to take on another “battle” with her daughter Emily-Kate – the famed
“Larapinta Trail” in the Northern Territory.Regarded as one of Australia’s premier
walking tracks, the 223-kilometre trek stretches along the backbone of the West MacDonnell Ranges from the old Alice Springs Telegraph Station to the peak of Mount Sonder.
The trek, which will take place in August 2017, will see participants hike through Simpsons Gap, the Serpentine Gorge, Orminston Gorge and up Mount Sonder Ascent, which is a 1380-metre climb.
Having recently discovered the joys of hiking, Jane says she thought the trek would be an enjoyable opportunity to generate support for the BCNA.
“I didn’t want to take on this adventure by myself, however, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to spend some quality time with my daughter,” she says.
“Everyone in the group will be walking
Breast cancer survivor on a mission to conquer the Larapinta Trail
HEALTH & LIFESTYLE
23
By Barbara Peers*
THE MEDIA of all persuasions is full of encouragement and advice for us “oldies” to exercise more.
There is a constant flow of suggestions on how to enjoy a full and healthy lifestyle. This is good, and as it should be.
However, I have a little suggestion of my own that I wish to share. After you have enjoyed stimulating your body with vigorous – or maybe only semi-vigorous – exercise depending on your state of health, why not walk/jog/ride to your nearest bridge club and give your brain a workout as well.
Bridge is the best “brain exercise” you can get. A thoroughly absorbing and enjoyable afternoon can be spent in a very friendly atmosphere with like-minded people who enjoy a game of cards.
Bridge is the ultimate in card games and will keep the old brain cells jumping! Most clubs have a beginners’ class, and once you have the basics
of bridge sorted out, the next step is into “supervised” play, where there are experienced players ready to give a bit of help if needed.
You don’t need a bridge partner to begin with, but down the track you will probably gravitate to someone who you will enjoy partnering with regularly.
But a word of warning: bridge is addictive and once you are hooked, there is very little that will keep you away from this challenging activity.
You are not tied in to any session with bridge – you play at a time that suits you and if you need to have time away, it doesn’t affect anyone else.
Check out the Australian Bridge Federation website at abf.com.au to find out a complete list of bridge clubs and contact details. However, I am happy to answer any questions you may have.
Simply phone me on 0400 871 266 and leave a message if I don’t answer – I might be playing bridge!
*Barbara Peers is the Vice President of the Launceston Bridge Club
A bridge to brain exercise for the same cause – to support the BCNA
and raise some money while doing it.“BCNA might not be able to cure
women of their diagnosis, but it can at least make their journey as informative and comfortable as possible.
“I also hope that by challenging myself with this trek, I will inspire my family, friends and colleagues.”
Pledging to raise a minimum of $5,000, Jane has “high hopes” to exceed this and raise a total of $10,000 by conquering the trail.
“The trip itself will also cost us both $3,500, so we are hoping to raise enough to help us with our expenses,” she says.
“We are also still looking for two gold sponsors worth $1,000 each, which will give them large advertising on our training and trekking tops.
“All donations are tax deductable and will bring us much closer to reaching our goal.”
For more information on Jane’s fundraising progress and upcoming events, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JaneEmOutbackAdventure.
Donations can also be made through the Gofundraise page at https://bcnagreataussieoutbacktrek.gofundraise.com.au/page/Janeandemily n
24
IN THE GARDEN
DEVOTED green thumbs will be in for a special treat on 19 March when the Lenah Valley Garden Club hosts its second Hobart Symposium.
Held at Ogilvie High School in Hobart from 9am until 4pm, the symposium will feature a range of guest speakers followed by five sessions of gardening workshops.
Presentation topics will include differing forms of irises, the correct method of fertilisation, sustainable gardening, wildlife gardens, potting techniques and bulbs and seeds.
Lenah Valley Garden Club president John Kitt said he was excited about the “impressive” line up of guest speakers that were participating in the event.
“Speakers will include James Wood from the Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, who will talk about the work of the Tasmanian Seed Conservation Centre; Horticultural president, Mary Crowe,
who will discuss how to grow roses better and Camellia Society Tasmania president Joe Neuschwanger, who will enlighten his audience about the best camellias for Tasmanian soils and pots, the best culture and suitable locations,” he said.
“There will also be two different floral art workshops where participants will follow the demonstrator step-by-step, putting together their own arrangements with material supplied by the symposium.”
Mr Kitt said Tasmania was lucky to have an environment that was suited to gardening.
“So many of us enjoy every aspect of gardening, as it develops our wellbeing, encourages us to get out into the
beautiful weather that Tasmania has to offer and gives us gentle exercise,” he said.
Mr Kitt said the 2017 Symposium was suited to both budding and experienced gardeners aged 15-years and older.
He said new members were always welcomed to attend meetings at the club.
Lucky door prizes and a farewell pack will be presented to each participant.
General admission is $85 per person. The Lenah Valley Garden Club is a
non-profit, community organisation and the largest gardening club in southern Tasmania.
For more information about The Hobart Symposium or the Lenah Valley Garden Club, email [email protected] or phone John Kitt on 0410 432 382 n
Gardening symposium unearths tricks of the trade
Green thumbs: Lenah Valley Garden Club president John Kitt shares the love of gardening with committee members Jo-Anne Knight, left, and Robyn Murrell.
25
AUTUMN is an enjoyable time of year for gardeners as there is plenty of work to be done tidying, pruning and resurrecting the lawn after summer.
The season also means an abundance of dark green foliage with pops of pink in all shades, from woodland cyclamen and seductive camellias to hot cherry-hued autumn roses.
Be sure to check out what’s on offer and don’t shy away from adding some colour to the garden.
IN THE VEGGIE GARDEN Now is the time to plant beetroot,
broccoli, broad beans, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, leeks, silver beet, garlic, onion (early), radish, turnip, swede, kale, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, winter spinach and spring onion.
Keep an eye out for our beautifully grown purple garlic and certified pinkeye potato seed, which is now available and can be planted throughout autumn.
If resting an area in your veggie garden, now is also a great time to add green manure crop. Green manuring will help your soil in many ways.
Most importantly, green manure boosts your plot’s organic matter while storing nutrients from leaching, providing microbial activity and improving soil structure.
A perfect living mulch, our green manure mixture contains a blend of
oats, dun peas, lupins and rye that will protect soil from erosion – especially if resting an area, while adding these amazing natural soil benefits.
Plant green manure crops in autumn – ideally when rain is expected. It is essential that the seed does not dry out during the germination period. Simply broadcast (or spread) the seeds by hand in an even manner.
It sometimes makes the distribution a bit easier if you mix the seeds with sand or soil so you have more control over where it goes. After you spread the seeds, rake the soil to cover them sufficiently.
AUTUMN JOBS• Resurrect or sow a new lawn.• New season bulbs have arrived for
planting. • Add lime to lilac trees now – they
love it!• Instead of binning autumn leaves,
collect and store them for your garden compost.
• Sow green manure crops. • Spray pear and cherry slug with Yates
Success low toxic natural insecticide.• Remove and destroy suspect and
fallen brown rot on stone fruit. Brown rot can cause serious losses to stone fruit, especially in seasons with very wet weather during flowering or prior to harvest. Old infected
fruit shrivel to a “mummy” – these contain fungal spores which, left on or around the tree, will harbour the disease.
• Feed cymbidium orchids.• Treat lawns for corbie grubs and
white curl grubs.• If you have a pond, now is a
great time to renovate foliage as deciduous aquatics and grasses start to tire from their summer growth and flowering.
• Take the opportunity to prepare new garden beds, and refurbish old beds, for spring bulb planting.
• Watch for caterpillars attacking leafy crops in the veggie garden, spray with Yates Dipel or treat with cabbage dust.
• Prune spent raspberry canes and mulch with pea straw.
• Autumn is the perfect time to resurrect or sow a new lawn.
• Apply Mancozeb Plus on lawns infected with dollar spot or brown patch.
• Prepare soil for bare rooted fruit trees and rose bushes.
• Start thinking about planting natives and advanced trees.
• New season citrus arrive. Plant these prior to the cold setting in.
Happy gardening from Andrew, Angela and the team at Harmony Lauderdale!
A new era in camellia breeding
New release: camellia ‘pinktastic’A new era in camellia breeding is upon us, as bold as japonica but as tough as sasanqua.
Camellia pinktastic is perfect for a colourful screen of hedge and equally as fantastic as a feature plant in the ground or in larger pots. The sizeable fluorescent pink double blooms appear early in the season and are prolific, with growth vigorous and upright.
An exciting new addition to our range of plants, camellia pinktastic will offer a more tolerant variety of camellia ideally suited to Hobart’s coastal regions.
26
By Jo Cordell-Cooper*
NEW Year’s Day and the silly season have been and gone, and if you are one of the many people who made a New Year’s resolution based on improving health and fitness – how’s that going?
For many, your new resolve has either fallen by the wayside or been watered down considerably.
So what happened? My experience as a personal trainer is that most people set an urgent timeline when it comes to their health and fitness goals, often inspired by “The Biggest Loser” results and “before and after” photos posted on social media – with a disclaimer, of course, stating that “individual results may differ”, or “results not typical”.
When did we get so obsessed with starting and finishing a fitness and health journey? Sorry folks, I have nothing to offer except something your grandma would tell you: “Be moderate, eat up your vegetables and get outside
and move more!”Now I have to clarify, if you are
heading to Mt Everest (whatever that looks like for you), I can get you there. I’m not scared of taking on big goals or clients with big goals, but for most people the goals are set too high. The change in behaviour is too great to sustain. You need time to settle into your new lifestyle.
This year I set the goal of one workout a week from home. I have to say, I got a little grief from a few of my PT buddies – something like, “Really pushing it, Jo. Aim high, eh!” (You can hear the sarcasm). I had to clarify, “No, one workout from home – quite different.”
For me, it’s been a big change because I like to go somewhere to work out, but I’m also a busy business owner with three kids – I can use that travel time 100 different ways.
Anyway, that’s not the only exercise I do, and it should not be for you either,
but if it is, it is sure better than nothing. Do not be disillusioned with the
notion you are not doing enough if you can only do one workout a week. Most of us could – and should – do more. Yes, that’s true, but when you choose to do nothing because you can’t exercise three-to-five times a week then you are setting yourself up for poor health.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by exercise guidelines that tell us how much exercise we have to do and how intense it needs to be. While these guidelines are accurate, just focus on making a change – just one commitment to exercise every week and you will feel the benefits n
*Jo Cordell-Cooper owns Active Solutions and Health Network, specialising in women’s fitness all ages, all stages. For more information go to www.activesolutionsandhealthnetwork.com.au, 0409 862206, [email protected]
Is just one workout a week enough?
FITNESS
27
By Jo Elliott B.App.Sc.
AS a personal trainer and exercise instructor, I have seen the direct benefits of increasing muscle strength and endurance in people of all ages.
When we look at the over-50s, this is one of the most beneficial things they can do, as it improves their day-to-day living in so many ways.
With regular weight training classes, muscle strength has been shown to improve at any age. Once you have stronger muscles, posture improves, bones are more protected and falls can be avoided. Naturally, this provides greater movement awareness, which again can prevent injuries. In turn, this keeps us all going for longer.
A graded weights training program offers the basics needed to achieve
your goals – whatever they are. Some participants sign up to just get stronger generally, while others want more specifics for their chosen sport or activity.
Increased muscle strength and endurance from exercise can improve your golf game and make bushwalking or tennis more enjoyable. It can also promote higher energy levels and therefore, reduces lethargy so you can get on with the important things in life like keeping up with the grandkids!
One of the most valuable advantages weight training can provide is your ability to stay independent. So, you may have been away from your regular activities due to an operation or injury. Well, there’s no time like the present to start moving and get those muscles strong again. It just takes a little bit of
effort each day and you’ll soon notice the improvement exercise can make to your quality of life. So what are you waiting for?
If you would like to know more about weight training classes or personal training options, phone Jo Elliott on 0437 242 024 n
Why you should boost your muscle strength and endurance
FOOD & NUTRITION
By Jo Elliott B.App.Sc.
MODERN medical research has shone the spotlight on the role of the gut in overall general health.
Studies have shown the makeup of your gut flora (the complex community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tracts) can influence your stress levels, skin and immune system which, in turn, has a direct effect on how you feel as you make your way through your day.
Like many health issues, prevention is often better than a cure. By detailing the makeup of your diet and its physiological ramifications on the stomach’s flora, you can help your body “do its work” more efficiently and avoid common problems.
There are a number of factors that affect gut health, ranging from hormones and acids to bacteria – both the
good and bad kind. These factors combined are influenced by the foods you consume. Before you can identify and address these imbalances, you have to look at what you put into your body to begin with. If you are unsure, it is always worth seeking professional advice from your GP or a dietitian.
Let’s take a minute to consider the following: how much processed food do you consume? How much sugar is in the food you prepare? What is the amount of quality fibre in your diet and how would you rate your daily/weekly alcohol consumption?
By being kinder to your gut and drinking more water, you will slowly see the benefits on your overall health – and even your mood.
Here are a few recipes that I hope will help make your gut happy. They also have the added benefit of being tasty, if I do say so myself. Enjoy!
Nurturing our inner health
Ingredients
Method • Preheat oven to 180-190°C and line a baking sheet with baking
paper. Place the oats, sesame, pumpkin, sunflower seeds and almonds on the sheet and toast in the oven for seven to 10 minutes, then transfer to a large bowl.
• Add remaining ingredients to the bowl and mix well. • Form dough into a bowl and cover with a tea towel. Let it sit
overnight (about 10-12 hours). • Next day, preheat oven to 180°C and line a loaf tin with baking
paper. Allow the paper to exceed the sides so you can easily lift out once bread has baked.
• The dough will be very firm. Using your hands and a little bit of elbow grease, shape dough into a rectangle and press into the lined loaf pan making sure it reaches the corners.
• Bake for 30 minutes and remove from oven. Lift loaf out of the pan using the paper and set on to a baking sheet.
• Flip the loaf, making sure the paper remains underneath, and bake for another 45-50 minutes. Allow to cool.
• If not freezing, it can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.
NB: This recipe may appear involved but it is definitely worth the effort. Once baked and cooled, the bread can be sliced and stored in the freezer for convenience.
Dressing1 ½ tsp lime juice1 Tb rice wine vinegar 1 Tb sesame oil 1 ½ tsp Tabasco or hot sauce of your choicePinch sea salt
Salad 4 cups savoy or green cabbage, shredded1 granny smith apple, grated1 cup carrots, grated4 radishes, thinly sliced4 spring onions, thinly sliced2 Tb black or white sesame seeds
Method• In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing
ingredients.• In a large bowl, combine all salad ingredients and
toss. • Drizzle dressing over the top and serve.
½ cup sesame seeds1 cup rolled oats½ cup pumpkin seeds½ cup almonds¼ cup sunflower seeds½ cup chickpea flour½ cup poppy seeds
¼ cup chia seeds3 Tb psyllium husks 1 tsp sea salt1 Tb dark brown sugar 2 Tb coconut oil2 cups water
Toasted Seed Bread Asian Cabbage Salad
FINANCE
FROM 1 July 2017, the qualifying age for the age pension will start to progressively increase by six months to every two years for people born on or after 1 July 1952.
The change has been introduced to help Australia meet the challenges of an ageing population by encouraging more people to stay in work and contribute to the economy.
The taxpayer-funded age pension provides a valuable safety net for people who are unable to support themselves fully in retirement, and supplements the retirement incomes of those with lower levels of private savings.
But it is important for those who can to save as much as possible for their retirement.
Under the changes, retirees will be able to access the age pension once they reach 65.5 years of age, then 66 years from 1 July 2019, 66.5 years from 1 July 2021 and 67 years from 1 July 2023.
This change will not affect the value of the age pension, and people can still retire at whatever age they like – it is the age at which they can become eligible for the pension that is changing.
Recipients of Veterans’ Affairs payments will not be affected.
For more information, go to www.humanservices.gov.au/agepension
Age pension qualification age set to rise: what do you need to know?
Key Facts• More and more people receive the age pension for far longer than in the past.• When the age pension was introduced in 1909, it was set at eight years after the
average life expectancy of 57-years. Now, the age pension is set 18 years before our average life expectancy of 83-years.
• Over the next 40-years the number of people aged 65-years and older will more than double to 8.9 million people. In 2054-55, 2.7 people will support every person aged 65-years and older.
• At close to $43 billion per year, the pension is now one of the biggest spending items in the Budget, and it will only continue to grow.
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Top L-R: Assoc Prof Alex Hewitt, Dr Kate Rattray, Dr Thomas Bonnelame, Dr Guy Bylsma.Bottom L-R: Clin Assoc Prof Paul McCartney, Clin Assoc Prof Nitin Verma AM, Dr Andrew Traill.
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