Bribie Blog | The Bribie Islander | A Community Magazine for Local People

Bribie Simply Healthy

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 25, 2020

Vitamin C Shower.

This NEW product has just arrived at Bribie Simply Healthy. The Sonaki Vitamin C Shower Filter removes 99.9% of chemical residues and impurities in tap water. This product is good for those people who suffer from dry, itchy, and allergic skin conditions and prevent anti-aging and eczema. The Sonaki Vitamin C Shower Filter would be especially beneficial for asthmatics and people with respiratory problems. Our tap water is treated with harsh chemicals such as chlorine, chloramines, and more to kill bacteria and small organisms. Long-term exposure to chlorinated water has a harmful effect on our health. When chlorine and chloramines penetrate our blood system, calcification will occur in our bones causing stiffness of joints and bones, it will also go into the Pineal gland. The Pineal gland releases serotonin and melatonin and is responsible for how you think and feel.

Serotonin is known as a happy chemical that controls our mood, appetite, and memory. Melatonin regulates our sleep pattern and when we don’t get the required levels of melatonin, our sleep pattern will be disturbed. Chlorine and chloramines also aggravate and increase hair loss and fine lines.

Many of us try our best to avoid harmful chemical intake, using high-quality water filtering systems. However, we have to realise that our skin is the largest organ with over 3 trillion pores breathing in and out. Each time we take a shower, we are also absorbing chemicals through respiration, which goes directly into our bloodstream; it only takes a fraction of time for our skin to absorb chemicals, like a sponge. The average person absorbs more chlorine into their body during a shower than they would drink 8 glass of pool water a day. Also, when we wash organic fruits and vegetables under tap water they will also soak harmful chemicals, which defeats the purpose of eating organic food. Not too long ago, I installed the Vitamin C Shower and soon felt the results. Usually, after a shower, your skin feels quite squeaky clean and I never objected until after I began using The Vitamin C Shower filter and noticed my skin began to feel, much softer. We need our natural body oil to protect the skin by strengthening and maintaining its lipid barrier; this lipid barrier accelerates the skin’s natural healing and repairing process.

Sonaki Vitamin C shower filters are affordable, they contain 100% pure Vitamin C with no added artificial colours or scents. You can even use Vitamin C filtered water direct to fish tanks with no need to treat water with any other chemicals and fish will not die. Vitamin C is proven to be the most superior filter media – 100% organic and softens water by reducing hard minerals and heavy metals. This shower system generates negative ions and promotes nature’s powerful antioxidants. Vitamin C shower will prevent premature fine lines and wrinkles. A great relief of dry, itchy, eczema and other allergic skin conditions.

Note: also Iodine is great supplement to decalcification of Chlorine and Fluorides in our system; iodine has the same chemical components as chlorine and fluorides, it pushes away and replaces itself to the same habitation.

2020 Vision

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 25, 2020

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I’ve been wearing glasses for 25 years. Since I was 40-ish. Well, go on, do the math.

In fact, I remember my forties well – my middle age. (To be honest, I still think of myself as middleaged. Who am I kidding? If this were true, I could expect to shuffle off this mortal coil at the ripe old age of about 135.)

Middle age. That was when the rot really set in. My previously clear and accurate, indeed 20-20 vision began to play tricks on me. Print got smaller, people in the distance got blurrier, and I often ended up sitting with total strangers on the beach, wondering where my brightly striped towel had got to, and why they wouldn’t talk to me.

I drove around for weeks with a pair of knickers on my dashboard. Don’t ask. I thought they were a chamois.

Oh, what a time that was! My skin began to develop protuberances (apparently they’re called barnacles) and I started to sprout the occasional wiry black hair from my chin. Oh, yes, and the hot flushes. Let’s not forget them.

But it was my eyes that really bothered me. And my eyesight has progressively worsened over the years.

Wearing glasses has been the bane of my existence since then. I started with reading glasses; then added distance glasses. I wear disposable single prescription contact lenses occasionally when I’m feeling particularly vain. I need special reading glasses to wear over the contacts when I read. A few years ago I progressed (regressed?) to progressive glasses. But I need a special pair of glasses for computer work.

Let’s face it … I have more glasses than Imelda Marcos had shoes. When I was young my blue eyes were one of my better features, according to some more discerning members of the opposite sex. Perhaps the occasional young man saw promise in those baby blues. Now I’m older and wearing spectacles, men rarely make passes. If the eyes are the windows to the soul, it’s been ages since anyone has looked into mine. The glasses get in the way and you look like someone’s gran. Plus I now have cataracts.

The only sexy bespectacled woman I can think of is the marvelous Tina Fey. And she often removes the face furniture for photos.

Perhaps there are some advantages to wearing spectacles. You’re not subjected to that oh so accurate, and a little bit frightening reflection of yourself in the full-length mirror first thing in the morning. Most housework, including cleaning the bathroom sink has become irrelevant. Hey, if I can’t see the grime, it ain’t there!

So here we are in 2020. It’s been a terrible year. But it’s about to get a whole lot better for me. You see I’ve decided to hell with lockdown and pandemics. I’m taking the plunge and having cataract surgery, where they replace your old, clapped-out lenses with perfect, pristine, plastic ones. After this Friday I will be glasses-free. No more struggling to read menus, medicine bottles, and manuals. When I go to the beach I will run gaily back to my designated spot and throw myself enthusiastically onto my own towel. No more sand in my glasses case.

I’ll say goodbye to smudges and fogged up spectacles when cooking. If I decide to give you the glad eye, you’ll be well and truly eyeballed. Look into my eyes and you will have an unimpeded view straight to my soul.

I may have to up my cleaning standards though. My, how that bathroom sink will shine!

Who is Songdahla?

Community

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 25, 2020

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Songdahla is about High-Frequency Health. For the last 25 years Dianne Butler has actively shared/taught healing techniques on the Central Coast in NSW. 2 years ago, she moved to Sandstone Lakes near Bribie Island in Queensland with her partner Bruce Bubb and together they facilitate Songdahla. Songdahla is anyone who joins in and sings their song too. Together we create the new songlines for this moment in time. It could be described as a mandala of sound co-creating a world and body of love.

Songdahla share sound wellness and high-frequency healing circles and 1 on 1 session. They incorporate the music that sings you back to wellness. They facilitate house concerts, house clearings, meditation gatherings, blessings, and ceremonies. They are often found at Woorim Beach Lions Markets on the hill in Tintookie Park Jacana Ave Bribie Island held the 2nd Saturday each month.

Songdahla believes we are all connected, and our mission is to share the love, raise our frequency, and co-create a world of love, peace, and harmony. They share the message that we each do the work on ourselves and then this in turn helps your family friends and community to heal as it ripples across the planet and beyond. Be the light …

Dianne and Bruce write original songs incorporating mantra, parapsychology and light language. This talks to your soul via the Heart/Soul/Energy and assists in releasing the lower frequencies from your world. They share the music each month in group circles and meditation sessions at Sandstone Lakes.

A Gift for you…

Songdahla has a website http://www.songdahla.com.au and if you go on their mailing list you can have a free download of healing music that will assist to clear your home or workspace and raise your frequency.

The Powerful healing mantra Ho’Po’Pono In Song ~ Dianne and Bruce ~ Songdahla 2020

North Harbour Marina Precinct could be Queensland’s next PDA

Community

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 15, 2020

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North Harbour Marina Precinct could be Queensland’s next PDA

Plans for a massive $2.74 billion marina and recreational precinct for queensland’s moreton bay region will be significantly advanced if the state government backs a new council push to declare the project a priority development area (pda).

North Harbour proponents have applauded the Moreton Bay Regional Council’s unanimous decision this week to seek a PDA from the Government, which would be the culmination of a long-held vision to create a worldclass integrated development for the thriving region.

The marina precinct at Burpengary East is a joint proposal by two major private developers, North Harbour Holdings and Trask Land Corporation.

It includes a 400-berth marina with associated marine industries and a substantial marina village with retail, tourism and entertainment uses. The precinct will also provide 600 new apartments 600 detached homes as part of the marina village, 800 dwellings in a canal estate, an extensive 319 hectares of recreational and regional open space, and 7,735 jobs in the construction phase.

“This is tremendous news for our project, which has been rightly described by the Council as an economic and community ‘gamechanger’ for the region,” said North Harbour Project Director Bryan Finney.

“The North Harbour Marina PDA will be a world-class landmark destination that advances the identity, ecological health and prosperity of South-East Queensland,” said Mr Finney.

The declaration of a PDA will also deliver substantial additional benefits, including a marine industry boom that will attract a significant slice of Australia’s $68 billion marine industry to Moreton Bay. “It will also provide 8.9% of the new jobs needed in the Moreton Bay region, an ongoing $882 million annual economic contribution and the delay of $300 million in Unitywater infrastructure – a significant saving for ratepayers.

“The wider community will benefit from an incredible new network of parkland and pathways, a heritage precinct and a water sports precinct on 12km of prime riverfront land that has been in private ownership for the past 160 years. Trask Land Corporation Managing Director David Trask said the Moreton Bay Regional Council, Mayor Peter Flannery and Division 2 Councillor Mark Booth had provided excellent leadership in advocating for a PDA. “We have had strong support from all levels of government,” Mr Trask said. “Local MP Chris Whiting has also been a strong champion of our project and his support has been essential to creating 7,735 jobs over the life of the project.

“With key enabling infrastructure already in place, we are ready to create this vital legacy project for Queensland once appropriate planning approvals are received.” More detail about the council decision is available at www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/News/Media/North-Harbour-MarinaCould-Become-a-Priority-Development-Area.

Sticky Pear Pudding With Caramel Sauce

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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INGREDIENTS
• 825g can pear halves in syrup, drained
• 90g butter, chopped
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup golden syrup
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
• 1 cup plain flour
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup roughly chopped honey cashews
• Vanilla ice-cream, to serve

CARAMEL SAUCE
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 50g butter, chopped
• 300ml thickened cream

METHOD

Step 1 – Preheat oven to 170C/150C fan-forced. Grease a 4cm-deep, 18cm round (base) metal pie dish. Drain pears on paper towel to remove excess moisture. Set aside 6 pear halves. Roughly chop remaining pear halves.
Step 2 – Place butter, sugar, golden syrup and milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 4 to 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Remove from heat. Stir in bicarbonate of soda. Set aside for 10 minutes to cool slightly.
Step 3 – Whisk flour, ginger, cinnamon and egg into cooled mixture. Stir in chopped pear. Pour into prepared dish. Arrange pear halves, cut-side up, on top of mixture (don’t push into the mixture). Bake for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cashews. Bake for a further 30 to
35 minutes or until top is just firm to the touch (cover top loosely with foil if overbrowning during cooking). Stand for 10 minutes.
Step 4 – Meanwhile, make Caramel Sauce: Place sugar, butter and cream in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 6 minutes or until mixture is smooth. Bring to the boil. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Serve pudding with Caramel Sauce and ice-cream.

After Hours GP Services for Bribie Island

Health

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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After Hours GP Services for Bribie Island

Bribie Islanders will have access to the medical care they need thanks a new three-year trial of after-hours primary care. The Australian Government is investing $500,000 to deliver the much-needed service which will be rolled out in January 2021. “For years, residents on the island have been calling for better access to medical services and I am delighted to announce this trial program,” Member for Longman Terry Young said. “Currently, Bribie Island locals don’t have an established afterhours health care service available through their GPs or medical deputising arrangements. “With this investment, patients won’t have to travel 20km to Caboolture Hospital for care outside normal office hours but will have access to a GP right here on Bribie Island.”

The Government will provide $500,000 to the Brisbane North Primary Health Network to codesign and develop the service with input from stakeholders. The local provider will be determined through a tender process. Ensuring all Australians have access to safe, quality, and accessible health care is an Australian Government priority. We will continue to work with our GPs, specialists and consumers to improve the delivery of care. As part of the Government’s Long Term National Health Plan, our Primary Health Care 10-Year Plan will set a vision and path to guide future primary health care reform. This is in addition to our broader health care reform agenda to make the health system more person-centred, integrated, efficient and equitable for all Australians no matter where they live.

Fishing Report – September 11, 2020

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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Hi Everyone…. The weather has been fantastic for fishing and boating over the last couple of weeks, especially since the westerly winds have been dying off. Finally, there have been good numbers of Tailor turning up in the passage at night. Harold caught these nice ones in shallow water best results on lures, trolled behind a boat and pilchards used with Gang hooks which we supply at Bribie Bait and Tackle. They also are turning up on Woorim Beach not as plentiful but good sizes. Mia caught this 60cm Tailor early morning whilst throwing metal slugs along the surf beach.

Still, good numbers of Flathead and Bream along the edges of the weed banks, caught on small poppers, like the Bassday Sugar Pen 75mm with Assist hooks. Still, plenty of numbers of Winter Whiting on the Cockle banks with most people bagging out easily within an hour and some really good Summer Whiting along the southern end of Woorim beach and around Skirmish Point caught on blood worms which we have in the shop and live Yabbies, which are plentiful in the passage on the flats.

With the school holidays approaching it is a prime time to get out there and catch a good feed of Whiting, please only take what you need!

Just after the full moon is a great time to wet a line and catch some fish, remembering the best times to catch a feed is early morning and late afternoon, when there are very little noise and traffic on the water. Hopefully, with the improving weather anglers can have good conditions to catch plenty of fish. That’s all for now, stay safe and remember even if you are not catching fish, it is a great way to relax!

Vanilla Butterfly Cakes

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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INGREDIENTS:
• 125g Unsalted Butter, softened
• 3/4 cup caster sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/4 cups plain flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup milk
• 150ml thickened cream, whipped
• 1/2 cup raspberry jam
• Icing sugar, to dust

METHOD:
1. With Mum or Dad’s help, preheat the oven to 180°C and place 12 paper cases into a cupcake tin

2. Beat the butter and sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer on medium until pale and fluffy. Slowly add the eggs and mix well. Add the flour, baking powder, vanilla and milk, and continue to mix until smooth. Be careful not to mix too quickly or the ingredients will fly out of the bowl

3. Carefully spoon the batter evenly between the paper cases, and then ask Mum or Dad to transfer them into the oven to bake for 20 minutes or until cooked and lightly golden. Remove the cupcakes from the oven and cool on a wire rack

4. When the cupcakes have cooled completely, use a knife to cut a 2cm circle from the top of each cupcake. Cut the tops in half and set aside. Spoon one teaspoon of whipped cream into each cupcake hole, and then top with a little bit of jam. Finish the butterfly cakes by placing two halved cake pieces over the cream to create wings

5. Dust with icing sugar and then the cupcakes are ready

How to Spring Clean Your Health

Health

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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As spring starts again, many individuals engage in spring cleaning throughout their home, using this change to warmer weather to open, dust and clean windows, letting stale air out and fresh in, along with many other deep cleaning tasks.

New life outside, clean life inside, after all. But although physically cleaning the house is a good idea, many individuals forget about cleaning their bodies and making sure they are in good health. Why not also apply the spring cleaning philosophy to health as well?

Toss Out The Old And Expired

Even with the best intentions, many individuals end up with old and expired products and medications. The most popular among women, of course, are old tubes of lipstick, mascara, and other makeup. Those who keep switching skincare products often also end up with expired half empty containers. Many also find they have over-the-counter painkillers that expire before they use them all Take this time to search through all your drawers and cabinets. Gather all these products and check their labels. Throw away anything past its expiry date according to directions on the bottle. If in doubt with medication, consult a pharmacist for assistance to be on the safe side.

Schedule Health Appointments

A variety of health appointments are necessary for individuals to ensure they remain as healthy as possible and to detect potential illnesses early. These appointments include an annual physical, dental and eye exam. Of course, some individuals will also need to schedule appointments for a mammogram, colonoscopy and other health issues more specific to age, gender and often at a different frequency than once a year.

Although there is a selection of appointments necessary every year, many individuals let them slide. Some forget while others believe they are simply not a priority. Even if there is nothing wrong, scheduling these regular appointments is vital to ensure everything stays that way. Spring is the perfect time to call up your doctor, dentist and other healthcare professionals to schedule appointments you may have missed in the past.

Take It Outside

Although there are plenty of opportunities to be outside and active during the winter, due to the cold weather, many find themselves unwilling to venture out. Additionally, since the days are shorter and typically there are fewer sunny days during the winter, individuals get far less vitamin D than they do in the spring and summer. Thus, when spring rolls around, it is important to take activities outside. Exercising outside, such as going for a walk or run, or doing simple things like planting a garden or reading in a lawn chair are great.

Change Up Your Diet

Spring is the perfect time of year to get your diet on track. One of the most popular choices is to visit local farmer’s markets, which typically start opening in the spring, to buy fresh produce. Even if food must be transported, it also helps to eat based on the season and try new fruits and vegetables each week. Furthermore, the warmer weather lessens the need and desire for heavier comfort foods and shifts the optimum meals to lighter and healthier choices. When it comes down to it, spring is the perfect time to brush the dust off and make sure your health is where it should be.

Go Team Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Nippers

Community

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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Go Team Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre and the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Nippers

Bribie Island Aquatic Leisure Centre is again sponsoring & supporting the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Nippers for the 20/21 season. The club continues a long patrolling history at Woorim Beach, which commenced in 1923 by the Metropolitan Swimming Club.

Woorim Beach is a part of a long stretch of beach on the eastern side (surfside) of Bribie Island. Partially protected by Moreton Island, the beach experiences relatively small swell and is generally a safe and very popular swimming environment for families.

The club is also home to a large and very successful Junior Activities section, with a membership of approximately 200. Children from age 7-13 years enjoy this arena developing confidence in the surf, learning surf safety skills and having the opportunity to compete in the Surf Sports Arena.

As a kid, mum and dad would bring my brother and I up to Bribie surf beach for a swim during the summer, and I would watch the Sunday morning lifesaving activities. I always found it fascinating, watching what they were doing. Fast forward 25 years, and I now bring my two year old son to Bribie beach as well as working on the island as the Aquatic Centre Manager.

Nippers includes the Junior Development Program which is designed to ensure children have fun at the beach while participating in lessons that will provide them with a pathway to become a qualified surf lifesaver and a junior competitor (surf sport). Competition plays an essential role in helping to strengthen and develop the skills of surf lifesavers.

Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club create and tailor a program to suit the needs of its members and their beach conditions. The program is focused on participation and enjoyment and will not just be built around competition. The goal is to increase the confidence and skill base of the nippers in the water and the sand, and that’s where the pool helps out. Surf, sun and saving lives is a potent combination and something that I have been passionate about for a very long time. Here at Bribie Aquatic Centre, we run a learn to swim program from 6 months of age through to the introduction to squad level where we provide pool space for the Steve Fern Squad program. I’ve always wanted to work with the surf club (in particular the nippers) in providing support and pool training but wasn’t quite sure how the logistics could work. Steve Zmuda, who not only is a learn to swim parent but is a part of the Bribie Island Nippers Program approached me, and the rest is now history. We are currently in season #2 of the Pool/Nippers partnership, and we are delighted with the progression that the nippers are showing, we would love to see more nippers come on board.

The nippers program is every Tuesday and Thursday at 3.45 pm, we also offer a discount to the nippers families that have signed up, their membership also allows any enrolled swimmer plus one parent to use the facility outside their lesson completely free of charge, it’s our way of saying thanks to the Bribie Island Surf Life Saving Club (along with Surf Life Saving Australia) as the organisation is one of the most dedicated volunteer organisations in the world.

We Are All Getting Older. WHO CARES? WE DO!

Seniors

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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We Are All Getting Older. WHO CARES? WE DO!

The reward earned from a busy working life, welllived, is to enjoy retirement and a different pace of life. Better health care has led to longer life expectancy and the chance for a more active lifestyle in our older years.

Many people plan a relocation, sea change or quieter lifestyle as they get older. Some move closer to their children and family. Many retirees downsize their home and move to retirement villages and gated communities. But what are we to do with all this age we have accumulated?

A move to Bribie Island offers opportunities to spend more time enjoying our leisure activities and seek new interests and friendships. Many retirees focus some energy on bettering the community through volunteering. Bribie Island has one of the highest percentages of seniors, and possibly one of the highest percentages of volunteers of any postcode in Australia.

GETTING OLD ISN’T FOR SISSIES
As we age, we may find those past conversations around the water cooler are traded for discussions about a knee replacement. The “catch of the day” might be an infection rather than a good size bream, and one’s “handicap” is not only relevant to the golf course. High on the list of conversation topics is how far away the nearest hospital is located. Perhaps it did not seem that far away when we first moved here.

In retirement, we have many more opportunities to pursue our interests, but there might be challenges to our ability to maintain the interests that ensure our wellbeing. One of the greatest challenges some face in their retirement is the higher level of care needed by a loved one. As we take care of the daily needs of our partner or parent, it may drain the joy out of life for both carer and their loved one. It is imperative not to let that happen.

Planning Your Perfect Picnic Date

Food

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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THE WORD “PICNIC” IS SAID TO ORIGINATE FROM THE FRENCH PHRASE “PIQUE UNE NICHE” OR “PICK A PLACE.”

Living on Bribie Island provides us with some sensational spots to choose from when having a picnic. Depending on if you are having a family or a romantic outing for two, you may have to scout around as you certainly don’t want to be on a romantic date and have a game of footy happening behind you. Getting a football to the head would undoubtedly spoil the mood.

Now if it is a romantic picnic you’re going for, a beautiful picnic blanket is a must! A couple of pillows to sprawl against, a picnic basket full of sumptuous foods, a bottle of wine, a vase full of fresh wildflowers and the scene is set. You may want to think about taking a small radio with you for some soft tunes in the background or maybe the sounds of Mother Nature work better for you.

Either way, there is nothing better than relaxing on a blanket with your loved one, watching the sun flicker through the trees with the warm ocean breeze on your skin and the calming sounds of the water lapping on the shoreline. How lucky we are to have this as our backyard!

When planning your picnic, you do have to consider some essentials. Bug spray is a must! A citronella candle will work to some degree, also creating a nice ambience, especially if you are having a sunset picnic. They have advanced a lot these days and you can get some nice scented ones.

To get you started I have put together a list of things that I consider essentials for your romantic picnic to be a success.

FOODS TO CONSIDER (Nothing too filling as you don’t want to feel bloated)

Bite-sized fruit like strawberries, grapes and watermelon.
Chocolate dipping sauce (to go with the fruit snacks)
Skewers – I love bocconcini, cherry tomatoes, pancetta all drizzled with basil paste.
Camembert or any soft cheese, dip and deli meats platter
Fresh prawns and seafood sauce
Wine or a nice beverage

PICNIC ESSENTIALS

Start with a great picnic basket! Complete with plates, cutlery, wine glasses and a corkscrew. Mine also has sauces, salt and pepper and paper towel.
A Large picnic blanket and some napkins to match. Pillows are great as well.
Bring an esky or ice packs to keep perishable items cool and to chill your wine or other drinks.
Breadboard or a tray to set your goodies out on.
Wet wipes and garbage bags are good to have for the clean-up
Sunscreen You are now all set to go and relax on our stunning Island, spend quality time with your loved one and make it a beautiful memory to cherish forever. ENJOY!!!!

“OLD AGE” It isn’t ALL in the mind!

Seniors

The Editor Cherrie Wilson

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September 14, 2020

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HOW OFTEN HAVE YOU HEARD PEOPLE SAY, “AGE IS JUST A NUMBER”…. OR, “OLD AGE IS ALL IN THE MIND”?

Invariably, these comments come from people much younger than we “senior citizens”…..from middle-aged or younger generations, mostly…. to bolster our waning confidence or health concerns, as the years pile up.

Well, no-one really appreciates what it’s like until they get there, but the “process of ageing” which our medicos are prone to quoting, often, is a very real thing.

But I like to quote an old mate, who presented a somewhat different version of events; he said “You know you’re heading for your last long sleep when your mind makes a promise that your body can’t keep”…….and he was – and is – 100% right!

My head often tells me I’m in the prime of my life, still (in my late 70s) – but my body doesn’t seem to listen to my mind the same now, when it’s called on to step up the pace or go that extra yard (in effort) on a project which I would have leaped into (and completed quickly) in the “good old days” we hear so much about.

Also, I’m not really so sure the “good old days” were quite as good as we recall. But of course perspectives can vary widely on that, depending on life’s fortunes and experiences before we reach the oft-disputed “process of ageing” years. Looking back over the past seven decades (+), I reckon those of us who reach this stage our precious “senior citizen” years) are the lucky ones.

Many people don’t make life’s journey this far. The rollercoaster ride (which life is, or can be) takes its toll of many, too early. For the lucky ones, the memories are pure gold.

For example, how many of today’s younger generations can genuinely claim to have lived through and appreciate the changes that we (of the “senior citizens brigade”) have encountered, in our lifetimes? The memories that we have garnished in our journeys, whatever else we may have missed out on, make the journey worthwhile.

To name just a few, firstly there is/was Australia’s gutsy transition out of The Great Depression of the 1930s, World War 2, and the Korean, Vietnam, and Afghanistan campaigns. The Depression/WW 2 era, in particular, had to be experienced to appreciate what Aussies can rise to and overcome, when it’s “crisis time”.

In transport, our memories cover the full gamut from the horse-and-buggy days to jet travel – and even space travel. And who could forget, for example, Neil Armstrong walking on the Moon – and seeing it all on TV, at home?

The tearing down of the Berlin wall – which most of us would not have visited, but saw regularly, on TV – had immense significance for people in free societies like ours.

Seeing our children and grandchildren born and spread their wings to become decent people and good parents and citizens….these are among the “top shelf “of memories.

We can marvel, still, at the magnificence of nature presented to us, every day of our long lives; being moved by a soul-touching piece of music – pure bliss; the laugh of a child or the awesome song or flight of a bird.

Ah yes ,warming memories indeed, and all these (and many more) we call on from our memory banks and relive, once more, in those times when the body doesn’t listen to the mind, quite as it used to. This is the reality of “growing old” for many of us, today ….and it will do me quite nicely thank you! (For a few more years yet, I hope.)