Led by Executive Director, Darlene Cox, the Health Care Consumers’ Association of the ACT represents the interests of people needing to access ACT hospitals and health, medical and associated services. The HCCA calls on the unique expertise of consumers whose “lived experience” means that they are well placed to raise issues about Canberra’s health system with relevant policy makers and governments and therefore help to improve health services. … Read more.
Southern Highlands
http://www.visitnsw.com/destinations/country-nsw/southern-highlands
Two hours’ drive from Canberra, the NSW Southern Highlands area including Berrima, Bowral, Moss Vale, Mittagong and other smaller villages is characterised by old stone churches, weatherboard cottages, stately homes and mansions, cosy warm fires, charming country lanes and white railing fences, not dissimilar to rural England. Cold and brisk, the region caters for those keen on antiques, cafes and restaurants, art galleries, pottery, golf, or brushing up on history. … Read more.
Melbourne
Quest Carlton on Finlay, 2-9 Finlay Place, Carlton, Vic, 3053, Tel: 03-8341 4777. http://www.questapartments.com.au
Tucked away in a little lane off Carlton’s Lygon Street, the very comfortable Quest Carlton on Finlay is easily accessible to many great restaurants and cafes, retail outlets and bookshops. … Read more.
Local Press, Kingston Foreshore
129/2 Trevillian, Kingston
Positive reviews and anecdotes abound about Local Press – hardly surprising – given its great food options, cosy ambience and friendly staff. Whether outside enjoying the tranquility of Lake Burley Griffin or admiring the café’s creative interior, Local Press is perfect for people wanting a quick snack and a juice, coffee or tea, or for those in for the longer haul of breakfast or lunch. … Read more.
In her book, In Praise of Ageing, In Praise of Ageing [Text Publishing, Melbourne, 2013], writer, sociologist, educator, researcher, policy analyst and one-time Director of the Australian Children’s Television Foundation, Patricia Edgar, has documented interesting stories about older Australians who have overcome many adversities and emotional and physical difficulties and lived fulfilling and productive lives. … Read more.
Sydney Writers Festival
The 2016 Sydney Writers Festival was a spectacular event with presenters including: Gloria Steinem; the ABC’s Insiders Live with Barrie Cassidy, Niki Savva, David Marr, Annabel Crabb and George Megalogenis; Richard Glover; Frank Bongiorno; Magda Szubanski; Tegan Bennett Daylight; Kerry O’Brien; Stan Grant; Sarah Ferguson; Bob Brown; Gail O’Brien and Juliette O’Brien; Kate Tempest; Julian Barnes; Jeanette Winterson; and Elizabeth Harrower. … Read more.
The Emporium, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, Vic, 3000, Tel: 03-8609 8221. http://www.emporiummelbourne.com.au
As if Melbourne needed more fashion shops, the 2014 opening of The Emporium (behind Myer) has meant more city shops offering many of the well-known brands. Among its specialty shops are the Japanese-themed Uniqlo and Muji, and Finnish-inspired Marimekko. … Read more.
Figures show that one in five Australians suffer from chronic pain, with that number rising to one in three among people aged 65 years. Pain sufferers often have similar stories to tell about having to come to terms with being in pain, irrespective of its cause. Many people will have had myriad doctors’ consultations and investigatory procedures including scans, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans and x-rays, often with no real answers about how the pain might be remedied. … Read more.
Stay working
The Federal Age and Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Ryan, notes that Australia’s economy needs 70 rather than 60 as the average retirement age. She reminds us of health experts’ opinions that the working older person is healthier and happier than the non-working older person and that this should provide a constructive context for the Intergenerational Report about the long-term budget implications of the ever-rising number of people living on the age pension and using public health systems. … Read more.
Canberra and surrounds are ideal for walking and cycling as the publications below show.
- Walking and Cycling Canberra’s Centenary Trail, Nina Hvoslef and Tallis Didcott.
- Walking Canberra: 101 Ways to See Australia’s National Capital on Foot (2014), by Graeme Barrow, Dagraja Press, Canberra.
- Canberra’s Best Bush, Park and City Walks (2nd edition) (2012), by Marion Stuart, Woodslane Press, Sydney.