Bowls plus nsw dec 2014 jan 2015

DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 NEW SOUTH WALES BOWLS PLUS 1

LIFESTYLE TRAVEL HEALTH GIVEAWAYS HISTORY

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Vol 2 No 6December 2014

- January 2015

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2 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 BOWLS PLUS QUEENSLAND 2OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2014 BOWLS PLUS QUEENSLAND 2JUNE / JULY 2014 BOWLS PLUS 2

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4 BOWLS PLUS NEW SOUTH WALES DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015

High performance team for New Zealand hit out 6

Where are they now?- Robbie Thompson 7

The Innovator - Testing your drawing ability? 8

Kenta Treacher - NSW Men’s Singles Champion of Champions 9

Chloe Stewart wins World Junior Singles 9

An Aussie Look at the History of Lawn Bowls 10

Coaching - an Alphabet towards success 11

Cottrell appointed to communication role 12

Fisher and Stewart secure world titles 13

Jack Attack arrives 15

Murray steamroll Adelaide for APL02 Trophy 16

Team Henselite’s National Champions of Champions Scott Thulborn and Katrina Wright 20

Bowls Plus New South WalesABN 81 324 719 596

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Notice: While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine is accurate, no responsibility is accepted by the publishers for material supplied by an individual, company or organisation or for any typographical errors.

Artwork & Design | David Jones Creative0064 7 345 3172 / [email protected]

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IN THIS ISSUE

From the Publisher’s Desk… Merry Christmas…from the staff of Bowls Plus Magazine. We would like to wish all our readers, contributors and suppliers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year. A special thank you also to our readers as they have supported us into our 2nd year anniversary edition. With the addition of our new web-site Bowls Plus has taken the readership out to a new and wider audience. Bowls Plus is dedicated to reporting current Bowls News from Local Clubs in New South Wales and to promote the fast growing sport of Bowls along with lifestyle issues. More young people are discovering that Bowls is and inexpensive and fun sport and readily available at so many great clubs. Keep your stories coming through to us. We love to hear from you with local events, news, upcoming events and stories about your club. A special thank you to our wonderful contributors, Bowls Australia, Les Taylor, Barry Hamer, Lachlan Tighe, Frank Fox, Henselite Australia, Vince Knath, Dr Neil Peach to name a few and our travel agents and advertisers bringing you great prices for well-earned holidays and products. May sure you support our wonderful advertisers who supply great products at fantastic prices. Until the next edition of Bowls Plus Magazine, thank you for reading and enjoy…

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Bowls Australia have named 16 players to secure a boarding pass to Christchurch, New ZealandLess than four month after the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Bowls Australia’s high performance team have declared that they will leave no stone unturned in an effort to surpass their past achievements and prepare for the next batch of benchmark international events.

The Australian Jackaroos squad’s focus will shift from the slow, unforgiving Northern Hemisphere conditions, which the contingent spent more than two years practicing for and acclimating to, to the fast tracks found in the Southern Hemisphere, with the teams immediate focal point fixed on Christchurch, New Zealand.

Christchurch will play host to the sport’s pinnacle event, the World Bowls Championships in 2016, and the lead-in Asia Pacific Championships in 2015, with Australian personnel eager to replicate the success accomplished at the 2012 World Championships in Adelaide, where it claimed five gold and two silver medals from eight disciplines.

With Christchurch’s Burnside Bowls Club named as the primary venue for the upcoming international events, Bowls Australia’s high performance team have worked diligently to secure greater opportunities to trial development players and blood young talent on the New Zealand decks, from as early as January next year.

Australia are traditionally afforded two entries into New Zealand’s annual Stewart Buttar Burnside Invitation Pairs event, one women’s pairs and one men’s pairs combination, but next year have been provided eight positions within the draw, allowing 16 players the opportunity to demonstrate their aptitude across the ditch.

“We are extremely grateful to Burnside for extending their generosity by allowing us eight teams in total to participate in the January 2015 tournament,” National Coach Steve Glasson said.

“Preparations are already well advanced for the next lot of benchmark events, including the

High performance team named for New Zealand hit out

Asia Pacific Championships in 2015, World Championships in 2016 and then the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, and with that, the Australian Selectors have come up with some teams to ‘test the waters’ in New Zealand.

“The teams selected to go over are a mix of youth and experience, and this event will provide the national section panel with an invaluable opportunity to observe these players’ capacity in Christchurch conditions ahead of the Asia Pacific Championships, which will see 15 or more countries compete.”

Australia’s two recently crowned world junior champions, Dylan Fisher and Chloe Stewart

both enter the fray at the open level, while Cabramatta’s Ray Pearse and former Australian squad member Sarah Boddington have both been selected from outside the current Australian Jackaroos or Australia A teams.

Five of Australia’s Commonwealth Games combatants will also have their boarding passes stamped, in Lynsey Clarke, Brett Wilkie, Nathan Rice, Matthew Flapper and Carla Odgers, as will world champion Mark Casey, Australian Open singles titleholder Anne Johns, 2008 world champion Claire Turley, Jackaroos’ Matthew Baus and Samantha Shannahan, and Australia A’s runner-up under-25 world champion Kristina Krstic.

The Stewart Buttar Burnside Invitation Pairs event will be staged from January 16 to 18 next year, and the 16 players selected are as follows:

1 Kristina Krstic (Manning Memorial Bowling Club, WA) & Carla Odgers (Sunbury, VIC) 2 Sarah Boddington (Tuncurry Beach, NSW) & Claire Turley (Cabramatta, NSW) 3 Sam Shannahan (Avenue, VIC) & Lynsey Clarke (Club Helensvale, QLD) 4 Chloe Stewart (Kyneton, VIC) & Anne Johns (St Johns Park, NSW) 5 Ray Pearse (Cabramatta, NSW) & Matthew Flapper (Ocean Grove, VIC) 6 Aaron Wilson (Brighton, VIC) & Nathan Rice (Club Helensvale, QLD) 7 Dylan Fisher (Fitzroy Victoria, VIC) & Mark Casey (Club Helensvale, QLD) 8 Matthew Baus (Raymond Terrace, NSW) & Brett Wilkie (Club Helensvale, QLD)


Robbie Thompson was a great ambassador for bowls during his time at the top representing Australia, and now in his life after bowls, Thompson is giving back to the sport he loves.

Thompson represented Queensland with distinction from 18 years of age before he was called up for international duties almost 10 years later, earning his Australian cap number, 128.

The hard work had paid off; Thompson found himself boarding a plane to Malaysia to debut in the Asia Pacific Merdeka Indoor Championships and one year later he was back in Malaysia playing in an international benchmark event the Asia Pacific Championships.

It was there he won his most memorable title, a gold medal in the pairs alongside Victorian Mark Jacobsen.

Thompson was part of the victorious Australian team that defeated Malaysia, England and Scotland in the 2009 Perth International and also played a Trans-Tasman series that same year.

Whilst Thompson’s priorities are now with his young family and businesses he owns and operates, he still plays bowls at Broadbeach Bowling Club where just weeks ago he was appointed as a director on the club’s board.

“I always fancied the idea of having an input in the direction bowls is going, combining the knowledge I gained as a player for so many years and my perspective as a business owner,” Mr Thompson said.

Thompson owned and operated a hotel in Moololaba, on the Sunshine Coast, before moving to the Gold Coast and purchasing the SPAR convenient store located directly opposite Broadbeach Bowling Club one year ago.

During November’s NSW v QLD NTC Challenge held at Broadbeach, Thompson supplied the squads $1000 in-store credit to

purchase all their breakfast and snacks during the four day development camp.

“It was great to pop over to the club and watch the series, the quality of bowls was excellent and the concept itself was a great initiative to support some younger players on the verge of making their state sides,” Mr Thompson said.

“When I get the chance to watch good players I would still like to think I can mix it with the best, however I just don’t have the time to do it properly so I’m happy to just play whenever I get the chance.”

According to Thompson, Broadbeach Bowling Club is the perfect club to host the Australian Open and Commonwealth Games.

Where are they now?

“Honestly you couldn’t get a better location for a bowls club, its right on the beach, has four perfect greens, the weather is sensational all year round, there is endless activities in Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise and of course there is an unlimited amount of accommodation in the area,” Mr Thompson said.

We wish Robbie all the best with his endeavours and hope one day we might see him back competing at the highest level.

Former Australian representative

has started a new chapter in his life after bowls

Robbie Thompson


While many pennant bowlers may wish to win a pennant for their club, the simple fact is that many club members may not be motivat-ed enough to support or go the hard yards to achieve such a wish, So selecting one of the options A to C below may be worth assessing. (a) Is your club mainly focused on socials rather than winning pennant competitions?

(b) Is your club a social club that enjoys visiting other club events, and watching pennants?

(c) Is your club a very competitive club committed to winning a pennant at any level? Should option (c) become your choice, application of the format below may assist addressing the options listed above. Over the past 40 years developing various innovations to improve drawing skills especially for leads, the one standout program that has achieved most credibility and improved results named “Four-Play”(c) Drawing Test Program” for lawn bowls, is detailed below subject to copyright and finally available for readers to trial it for personal use only.

Any club member may participate in the above program playing alone, or may be officially tested by an allocated club coach evaluating a member’s personal level or pennant grading level, generally takes up to 30 minutes to complete on a conventional bowling club green. SEQUENCE:• The testing program may be carried out on any well prepared bowling green surface preferably running at a speed between 14 to 16 seconds.• Players should use their own competition set of four bowls to carry out the test.

• One rink is allocated for the tests and is spotted along the center line of the testing rink to pre-place jacks on the indicated Minimum, Medium, and Maximum length positions ready to draw to during the test. Note: the players do not roll the jacks during the test.

• Prior to commencing the test, an appointed club coach or marker supervises the test and tallies the scores at the completion of each end to calculate their final score.• The testing sequence is the same procedure that most bowlers normally adopt when practicing alone on a rink, delivering their bowls to pre set jack, length, and mat positions along the way delivering 4 bowls forwards then backwards on the green during their practice session.• Similarly during this test, the player delivers 4 bowls forward to the jack placed on the Minimum spot ahead, notes the score, then turns around and repeats that process delivering 4 bowls backwards to the first jack already placed on the 2m spot to complete the 1st and 2nd ends.• This sequence continues to complete the 6 ends required delivering a total of 24 bowls to complete the test. • This process continues until the 3rd 4th 5th and 6th ends have been completed.• Each delivered bowl resting within 60cm of the head scores 1 point.• Maximum score each completed end scores *4 points.• Maximum score completing six ends scores 24 points.

1st end: Minimum length delivering forward > To commence the test, the player being tested delivers four bowls to the jack placed on the minimum length spot; that is two bowls must be delivered on the forehand and two on the backhand in any order seeking

to score one point for each delivered bowl coming to rest within 60cm of the jack to score a maximum of *4 points for each completed end. 2nd end: Minimum length delivering Back • After tallying the score for the first end move the resting bowls aside to place the mat on the minimum spot mark to commence drawing back to the second end by delivering the four bowls in the reverse direction ahead to the jack already placed on the 2m starting spot to complete the second end.

• Tally and enter the score for the 2nd end.• That jack remains in that position (the start spot) for the 1st, 3rd , and 5th deliveries. • Repeat the above procedures for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th ends to complete the test.

Note:• Maximum **score at the end of the test is 24, (6 completed ends x 4 points).• It should be noted that “Four Play”(C) is not a competition, but rather a practical monitoring program assessing a pennant player’s drawing performance level. GUIDELINE SCORES GRADE BOWLS IN HEAD TALLIED SCORES NSW Grade Rep. 4 19 to 24 No 1 Pennant. 3 17 to 18 No 2 /4 Pennant. 2 12 to 16 No 5/ 7 Pennant. 1 1 to 11 Notes:One of the most important aspects of the (c)“Four-Play” program, will depend on how acceptance of the format, analysing current and long term monitoring takes place? The resulting scores of the testing programs will not become the be all and end all judgment of a bowler’s drawing capacity, but rather to put to rest possible nepotism of some self promoting bowlers occasionally inhibiting the integrity of the greater majority of club members seeking credible solutions to win pennant flags. 2015 may present an opportunity reviewing critical issues simmering under glowing ashes so get out the rake and discover hidden gold worth exploring, if you can dig that? So dear readers it’s Christmas time! So let’s put away things past, sharing goodwill together in harmony, celebrating family time and a productive time together for Lawn Bows 2015.

Merry Christmas and New Year all!- The Innovator Barry Hamer

The Innovator

Barry Hamer

TESTING YOUR DRAWING ABILITY?

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North Sydney’s Kenta Treacher has become the new NSW Champion of Club Champions, overwhelming Nathan Dawson from Kurri Kurri in the final at Nowra in November.

Kenta raced out of the blocks quickly and soon had an unanswered 19 shot lead over his opponent. In the Australian state with the most bowlers and a very high standard of play, this kind of lead in the final wasn’t what Kenta had expected prior to the event.

“It’s quite overwhelming,” he said of his success. “Looking at the calibre of players in the tournament, I didn’t expect to do very well.”

“In the final I was focussing on each end and trying to get into a rhythm, I saw Nathan’s semi-final when he came back from 11-1 down so I knew he could come back. Even when I was up by quite a bit, when it was 19-0, I wasn’t

Kenta Treacher NSW Men’s Singles Champion of Champions

thinking like it was 19-0, I was thinking it was 19-19 and trying to focus on my bowls, getting close and staying composed.”

Kenta is no stranger to high quality bowls, though, he is a national representative for Japan and has competed in the World Cup, finishing in the top half of the field. But the NSW Champion of Champions title tops all of this. “This is my biggest achievement by far. Even when I played for Japan, I did well but I haven’t come first. To win this is my biggest achievement and it’s still sinking in.”

Kenta now joins the long list of bowlers winning major titles in 2014 with the Dreamline XG, including NSW Katrina Wright who won the women’s Champion of Champions singles and then went on to claim Australia’s top Champion of Champions prize last month.

“I started with Dreamline XG about 18 months ago,” said Kenta

“and now I really feel confident using them. I know where they are going and I can play all my shots, knowing they will perform the shot I was to play.”

The win for NSW gives Kenta the opportunity to compete for the

National Champion of Champions title however he’ll have to wait a full 11 months for that with the National title not decided until October 2015.

Chloe Stewart from Kyenton, Victoria is the new World Junior Singles Champion after triumphing on the international stage at Broachbeach Bowls Club last month. The 18-year-old took out the title in the Under-25 tournamement after taking on some of the world’s best young bowlers. And she still can’t quite believe it.

time for me to be able to do that. In the past I’ve played against others I have known well and lost because I’ve not been able to separate being on the green and off the green so it’s something I’ve worked hard on and learnt over the years.”

With the World Championships played at Broadbeach BC on quick greens, Chloe chose to use her Henselite Fusions and found them to be ideal. “My Fusions were the perfect bowls for the quick greens and windy conditions during the Junior World Cup. Their line was consistent and I always had faith they would come back in the wind. Love them!” she said. It was an all Fusion final with Kristina all using her Henselite Fusions as she did to win the Silver Nugget back on the Gold Coast earlier this year.

So what’s next for the Junior World Champion? Chloe has just finished her first year of a Bachelor of Health Sciences and has ambitions to practice speech pathology in the future. But for now she has representative duties for the Victorian senior side in an upcoming test against Tasmania. “Hopefully I’ll get selected for a few more of the tests in the next couple of months and I’ll also be going to Burnside (NZ) for the Invitational Pairs in January before going back to Uni in March.” she said.

Chloe Stewart wins World Junior Singles Championship“It’s unbelievable, fantastic, amazing - all of those emotions, I still have to pinch myself and think ‘did that really happen?’”

“My first match was pretty tough, that was one I lost and then I had another tough match against Tayla Bruce from NZ. Against Tayla, the first time I played her she had a pretty good lead on me 10-1 and I came right back and I ended up beating her by one shot or two shots.” It was a comeback that gave Chloe a lot of confidence for the rest of the tournament which was much needed as she came up against fellow Australian, Henselite team-mate and great friend, Kristina Krstic (WA) in the final.

Chloe who is the reigning Under-18 Australian Female Bowler of the Year took out the final with a 4 shot margin in the first-to-21 format.

“It’s obviously pretty hard playing against Kristina, she’s one of my best mates, we were staying together for the whole week. We just had to put that aside and focus on the game for a couple of hours and after that it’s all good again.”

“Once I step out on the green I switch off and focus on my bowls, my line and weight and just concentrate on that. It’s hard, it’s taken a long


Most bowlers would be aware of the story of Sir Francis Drake and the Spanish Armada, but there have been many more references to the game of Lawn Bowls throughout history that are just as interesting.

In 1361, a game which could have been the forerunner of Lawn Bowls was banned by Edward the third of England because it was becoming more popular that archery and the population was neglecting that skill which was so necessary for war. Later, some licences were issued to certain landowners but they were withdrawn in 1555 by Queen Mary because it was deemed that they could be an excuse for unlawful assembly. But official opposition to Bowls must subsequently have been withdrawn because the celebrated game between Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkyns occurred on July 19, 1588.

Both James 1 and Charles 1 are reported to have enjoyed the game, but it also became pop-ular with the lower classes and soon became associated with excessive drinking and gam-bling as games were arranged at or near public houses and support for the game generally, disappeared in England sometime during the 1600’s.

While Lawn Bowls languished in England, it became popular in America and with none other than George Washington who built his own green. However, that attraction was short lived as relations between America and England deteriorated owing to the tax on tea, and during the Revolutionary War a statue of George 111 was converted into bullets for subsequent firing at the English; Washington’s green was dug up, and Lawn Bowls in America has never regained any considerable popularity since. (Although an American representative, Skip Arculli with (Scottish) substitute, George Adrain won the World Bowls Championship pairs in 1984.)

Although Bowls seems to have been in the doldrums everywhere during the 1700’s, it seems to have had at least one supporter because Captain James Cook was responsible for naming “Cape Bowling Green”; a little piece of land jutting out into the Coral Sea somewhere between Ayr and Townsville, and Lawn Bowls, or at least an association to it, came to Australia.

Lawn Bowls was actually resurrected in Scotland where it had been played since the 1600’s, and are basically responsible for introducing the modern game to the rest of the world. They built level greens for play, and in 1849 a committee appointed a Glasgow solicitor, a Mr. W. Mitchell, to draw up the first

‘Laws of the Game’ although they were probably not known by that name. Subsequently, Scottish immigrants took the game with them wherever they went and that included Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

The first recorded game of bowls in Australia occurred at Sandy Bay in Tasmania in 1845. The game was so popular that it is recorded that a match at that venue in 1852 attracted 1000 spectators, although since one team was from the military, some may have attended for reasons other than their love of the game.The Melbourne Club was formed in 1864 – the first in Australia and the following 20 years saw clubs formed in NSW, SA, WA and Qld. The Brisbane Club came into being in 1878 with a green in the Botanic Gardens. This subsequently became Booroodabin Bowls Club which is situated at Newstead and is the oldest club in Queensland.

The popularity of Bowls in Australia was such that in 1880, associations were formed in both New South Wales and Victoria. Over the next twenty or so years, other countries adopted this practice and associations were formed in England, Ireland Scotland and Wales, in New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. During this time the world renowned Cecil Rhodes built a green in Rhodesia. Bowls was gaining in popularity in most of the English speaking countries of the world. Famed English cricketer, W. G. Grace took up bowls on his retirement from cricket and was a moving force in the formation of the “International Bowling Board” in 1905.

In Australia, the “Australian Bowling Council” was formed in Melbourne in 1911. The first Australian Championships were played in 1912, and the first international in 1914 against New Zealand in New Zealand. World war 1 delayed many activities and 1925 saw the first visit by a British team, and the introduction of the “table test” for bowls by the ABC, (which was not abandoned until 1981). The first “Empire Games” were held in Canada in 1930 unfortunately without any bowls representation from Australia.

Englishman, Dr Neil Benjamin brought forward the concept of a World Bowls Championship in 1963. This came into being in 1966 with Australia being the inaugural host. The Singles was won by England’s David Bryant; Fours went to New Zealanders, Bill O’Neill, Gordon Jolly, Ron Buchan and Norm Lash, while Australia was victorious in the Pairs with Geoff Kelly and Albert Palm and in the Triples with John Dobbie, Athol Johnston and Don Collins. These championships

have been played every four years since with women’s competition beginning in 1969. The first Australian National Championship of State Champions, Singles, Pairs and Fours was played in Melbourne in 1979.

1980 was a most important year for Australian Bowls. The World Championships had excellent TV coverage and as a direct result, the Mazda Jack High competition was born with coverage by the ABC. It featured four top Australians against four overseas players and was almost compulsive viewing, not only for bowlers but also by thousands of sports lovers all over the country. Sadly, this series was abandoned in 1989.

The 1990’s saw the ABC adopt the new corporate name of “Bowls Australia”, a more modern approach to administration, a reduction in the number of delegates from the states, a shift in emphasis towards junior participation and in 1996 the introduction of a “merchandising” scheme incorporating the BA logo. A committee was formed in 1997 to pursue a merger of the Men’s and Women’s organizations.

2011 Bowls Australia introduced the Lawn Bowls Hall of Fame and honoured thirty nine past and present members of the bowling fraternity including the legendry Glyn Bosisto. Nominations are considered every two years.

Afterword:Sadly, changing lifestyles and the perceived need for ‘instant gratification’ has seen bowls numbers decline in recent years and the number of clubs dwindle dramatically. While representative players have become younger, (some barely out of their teens), the participation of the 35 – 55 year age group has sadly declined. Is there some link here, and are we destined to become a two tier sport, with representative players involved between the ages of say, 19 and 30, and the remainder of bowlers aged over 60? With the current administrations fixated on youth, change needs to be initiated at club level by men and women with a clear eye to the future.

A recent initiative by the administration is the formation of the Australian Premier League with franchises from Adelaide, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Moama, Sydney, Perth and New Zealand. While this may find some popularity among serious bowlers, focussing on elite players will not have any effect on recruitment to the sport. Whether the implementation of the “Bowls in Australia Strategic Plan” has any effect remains to be seen.

- Frank Fox

An Aussie Look at the History of Lawn Bowls 1361 - 2011

DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 NEW SOUTH WALES BOWLS PLUS 11DECEMBER 2014 / JANUARY 2015 BOWLS PLUS QUEENSLAND 11

Attitude • All about practicing habits; your attitude level, and mine as coach, will determine your/ our success

Bend• Bend and extend are two words to utter to players to ensure smooth deliveries;

Commitment• I see in those who choose to do the extra yards without anyone else even asking;

Decision making• You can have the best forehand draw delivery in the world, but if it is not the priority option, and you choose it, then your decision making skill is inadequate; coach the players how best to decide;

Experience• You do not have to like this comment but it is a straight steal from Rick Charlesworth, that great national hockey coach with Olympic and world gold medals to boot… experience is overrated, it is how quickly you learn, not how many games you played;

Fun • Although passionate in my coaching, I also want to enjoy it so lets ensure from day one we enjoy, we have fun; everyone tries, no one dies; apply this word FUNdamental

Feedback • Let’s agree we all have biases; you don’t have to like me, I don’t have to like you , but… I want you to have an accurate, reasonably immediate feedback system; we can do it in a game with my game segments approach; we certainly do it after a game as a review of performance; if you want to improve and I want you to improve, you must have a realistic view of what your skill and performance is now, TODAY, not yesterday, not tomorrow; and you need to feel comfortable in also giving me feedback be it good, bad or indifferent;

Glamour• Never won gold; grit and goals win gold;

Goals • I know what I want to achieve as coach and wrote them down on paper; I can only assist you if you set your own goals, then as a squad set the squad goals; I see this as your top priority; of interest/ importance is whether you and I have overlapping goals;

Game plan• Fail to plan, plan to fail; each of us in a team has to know our role, our plan as a unit

Game simulation training• I want to have you reproduce your excellent

training on the battlefield; and the way we do that is focus on the game through simulated game training to hone your tactical and mental skill; it is not pressure, it is a challenge so enjoy it

Guarantees• I cannot guarantee success; I believe in my approach and am totally committed to (enjoying) success with you because like you I want to be the best (coach) I can possibly be

Honesty • I will be upfront in my dealings with each and every one of you, and in doing that I also acknowledge that means giving news that some wont like and at times being wrong; in that case I shall acknowledge my errors; I expect the same honesty from every one of you

Inspiration • Inspiration is brief and short lived and only helps to kick start the process

Individuals • I see my role as accommodating all individuals and merging them into team; I have to coach individual people who make up a team; it requires a recognition that you are / will be different; I may do that well I may be abysmal, but I will be trying my best; we are a team sink or swim, however in my mind each member is the equal (worth) of any other member

Improvement continuum• In any elite sport, bowls is no exception, if you do what you did last time, last year, then don’t be surprised to not winning; why? because someone else, some other team, has used your previous success and added to it to be better; as coach I need to be constantly looking to improve you and improvement requires change

Leadership • Yours not mine; this is important; I want the squad to set your direction; successful teams always have a strong leadership group within the team who want to take ownership over the processes of the team;

Lifestyle • Bowls can take over your life and it can be a downer if we/ you don’t win; so keep the game in a sense of balance; I coach people, who are termed bowlers, who enjoy the rigours and success gained from elite bowls;

Measures • Objective measures are the only measures; mat length measures are tools; we will have skill ratings, we will have peer discussions, we will have game objectives, we will have selectors appraisals; all of these are tools to give you an idea of current progress or performance

Motivation • Motivation is within you, not me, as you decide the importance of your goal; motivation provides for the required persever-ance; as coach I need motivated bowlers to succeed as it is only then that I can assist you to achieve

More • We won’t do mindless drills, repetitive skill measures, numerous reports (I can do that) or excessive and unnecessary exercise; but, you should not compete in numerous sub-standard events; get up and realize you are elite, not turkeys;

Plans • Planning is the key to success; Dave Parkin maintained it was in an hours ratio of about 3 plan 2 prepare, 1 perform, and, I always operate on a variation of that

Ritual• The vital one is having a pre-delivery routine riveted into your mind;

Roles in teams• I ensure every player knows his (measured) role in the team position, and skills set to perform for the team; train the players with that in mind;

Situation awareness• Skips, or singles players, having the skill to be constantly switched on to patterns of play in the competition, where sometimes we are doing it all well, other times they come into the game, and when to know any one player has shifted their performance level, either way, and to alter the game in accord;

Team • The winning team has members who want to make the extra effort for their team; what I will do with and for you is create the best training and competitive team environment that has/ attracts the people willing to do extra for the winning team

Think• Thinking, or hardly thinking; an acronym to consider, TCUP which is…think carefully under pressure

Us• No one, not one of us, is as good as all of us;

Values• Great teams have values, most bowls team and clubs have not sought to nurture values

Winners• Winners know how to win and expect to win in the knowledge they have trained to prepare for the level of competition Lachlan Tighe, 2014

A sample of observations and comments to share or make with the bowler(s).

Coaching – an Alphabet (abridged) toward success


After experiencing nearly all lawn bowls has to offer on the green, current Australian Jackaroos squad member Kelsey Cottrell has taken a step behind the scenes to help generate coverage for ‘the sport for life’, after landing a plum role at the sport’s national governing body.

Cottrell, who completed her Bachelor of Journalism Degree at Griffiths University earlier this year, was today appointed to the Communications Coordinator role at Bowls Australia, where she will focus on creating informative and entertaining content through web articles and media releases for the organisation’s digital platforms; bowlsaustralia.com.au, australianopen.bowlsaustralia.com.au, australianpremierleague.com.au and jackattack.com.au.

ACT based Cottrell, who will assume the part-time role remotely, will work collaboratively with the organisation’s head-office based staff, particularly the Communications and Digital Coordinator, General Manager of Commercial Operations and the yet-to-be-appointed part-time Marketing Coordinator - which was open for applicants until the close of business on Tuesday, November 4.

24 year-old Cottrell’s intricate knowledge of the sport she has grown up playing, coupled with her tertiary qualifications, will provide the perfect foothold for her to expand the level of coverage for the sport nationally, and at the same time, develop her own skill set with valuable industry experience.

Having assisted with coverage for bowlsaustralia.com.au previously, particularly at the recent 2014 National Champion of Champion event at Taren Point, Cottrell already has a detailed understanding of what the role entails, and will transition seamlessly from player to writer.

Cottrell appointed to Communications role

Landing the new position won’t compromise Cottrell’s ability to represent Australia, NSW or St Johns Park, with the flexibility of her role allowing her to remain apart of the Jackaroos contingent and participate at big ticket national and club based events in the future.

The 246-game international veteran already has her boarding pass stamped for next month’s Hong Kong International Bowls Classic, after becoming the first women in the event’s history to claim three pairs titles last year, following

Kelsey Cottrell has been appointed to the part-time Communications Coordinator role at Bowls Australia.

victories in 2009 and 2010, and will enter alongside Victoria’s Carla Odgers as red-hot favourites when they embark on a campaign to defend their crown, a task no one has accomplished since 2001.

Following her hit out on the world stage, Cottrell officially began in her new Communications Coordinator role on November 18, in time for the sport’s second iteration of $110,000 Australian Premier League competition at Brisbane’s Club Pine Rivers.

“24 year-old Cottrell’s intricate knowledge of the sport she has grown up playing, coupled with her tertiary qualifications, will provide the perfect foothold for her to expand the level of coverage for the sport nationally”


Victoria’s Dylan Fisher and Chloe Stewart became world singles champions after triumphing at the World Junior Championships.

Australia reaffirmed its position as the powerhouse under-25 nation in the sport of bowls, claiming two gold medals at the World Junior Championships in Broadbeach in November.

Victoria’s Dylan Fisher and Chloe Stewart were both saluted on the international stage at the inaugural 13-nation event, securing the top honours in the blue-ribbon men’s and women’s singles disciplines after six days of competition on the Gold Coast.

Fisher, a member of the $110,000 Australian Premier League’s Blundstone Melbourne Roys franchise, cut a swath through the nine sectional rounds, dropping just one rubber to finish on top of the standings and advance directly to the semi-final decider.

With the green and gold nation fielding representatives in both sections of the men’s and women’s singles competitions, hopes were pinned on a gold/silver finish in both genders, until Queensland’s Sean Ingham was drawn into the Fisher’s pool for post-sectional matches after a second-placed finished in the opposite side of the draw.

Ingham’s hopes were crushed by Scotland’s Kevin Anderson in the quarter-final 21-14, but Fisher turned the table on the Scottish ace in the semis, 21-8, to book a final decider berth against Anderson’s national teammate Ryan Burnett, who overcame Malysia’s Fairus Jabal 21-4.

In an arm-wrestle encounter, Fisher was left holding the coveted silverware aloft, prevailing 21-17, and moments later was joined by a fellow Victorian at the top of the dais.

Australia’s two chances in the women’s event, Stewart and Western Australia’s Kristina Krstic enjoyed similar results on opposite sides of the draw, both finishing in second place before clawing their way through the play-off encounters.

Fisher and Stewart secure world titles

Escaping being drawn into the same pool kept the nation’s hopes of a one/two finish alive, which is exactly what eventuated, after Stewart accounted for New Zealand’s Tayla Bruce 21-17 and Wales’ Jessica Sims 21-9, while Krstic also posted a 21-17 win in the quarter-final, against Scotland’s Lesley Gordon, and then ended fellow Scot Stacey Laidlaw’s run 21-13.

After a fiercely contested decider, the world title was claimed by second Victorian junior

spearhead, Bowls Australia’s reigning Under-18 Female Bowler of the Year Stewart, by a 4 shot margin in the first-to-21 format.

Bowls Australia congratulate Dylan Fisher and Chloe Stewart on their golden run at the World Junior Championships, Kistina Krstic on her runner-up finish, and Sean Ingham and Bolivia Millerick on their endeavours on the world stage.

Dylan Fisher cuts a swath through the nine sectional rounds to advance directly to the semi final decider.

Victoria’s Dylan Fisher and Chloe Stewart take top honours at the World Junior Championships.


Clubs can now register to be-come and official Jack Attack host club Bowls Australia’s highly anticipated new participation product, Jack Attack, is being rolled out across the nation, with clubs now able to register to become an official host venue.

Jack Attack emulates the style of play of the revolutionary Australian Premier League, which was again staged at Club Pine Rivers and broadcast live on Fox Sports and SkyTV NZ in November, and brings it directly to clubland, where they can capitalise on its social, fast past format to help boast participation, by appealing to people opposed to playing in longer formats like pennant, and providing a more structured competition than barefoot bowls.

The Jack Attack program is intended to be run as a six to eight week competition, staged ideally on a midweek evening, in the format of two bowl triples with substitutions permitted, two sets of five ends, a sudden death tie-breaker if required, and a duration of play of just 60-75 minutes.

Former women’s tennis world number eight Alicia Molik is Jack Attack’s official ambassador, and played a part in the pro-am tournament staged between APL02 semi-finals live on Fox Sports in November.

Molik, who plans to participate in Jack Attack at a Western Australian club when the program rolls out in 2015, was joined by former Broncos Rugby star Alfie Langer and APL Ambassador Mick Molloy for the pro-am event, which proved to be fast and fun – just like Jack Attack itself.

Clubs can register to become an officially recognised host club for $450.00 per annum, through the ‘register’ tab on jackattack.com.

au, granting them access to utilise Jack Attack logo and promotional material, like flyers, have their club included in the ‘find my nearest Jack Attack club’ finder, have access to online registration for participants, access to the Jack Attack competition management system and scorecards, branded polo shirts for program facilitators, and access to Bowls Australia’s 16 Regional Bowls Managers for guidance on planning and staging the Jack Attack program specifically at your club.

The launch of the program coincides with the eagerly awaited second instalment of the $110,000 Australian Premier League, which ignites under the Club Pine Rivers roof structure from November 18 to 21 and showcases the sport with even more hours of coverage broadcast live into the living rooms of hundreds of thousands of Fox Sports and SkyTV NZ subscribers this year.

For further details on the Jack Attack program, contact your local Regional Bowls Manager, whose details can be found at bowlsaustralia.com.au/Club-Assist/Regional-Bowls-Managers, or phone Bowls Australia on 03 9480 7100.

Jack Attack arrives...

“Former women’s tennis world number eight Alicia Molik is Jack Attack’s official ambassador”


Expansion team Murray Steamers have defied the odds and secured a momentous victory at the $110,000 Australian Premier League in late November, relegating the Adelaide Endurance to a consecutive runner-up finish.

Despite having to contend against six origin teams, and the second expansion franchise Gold Coast Hawks, the Moama Bowling Club aligned Steamers cut a swath through the opposition during four days of sectional and live Fox Sports broadcast rounds.

Boasting two genuine international heavy-hitters within their contingent, including arguably the best bowler in the world, Scotland’s Alex Marshall, and Canadian ace Ryan Bester, alongside Moama local Michael Walker, the Steamers were heavily backed by pundits pre-tournament to go the distance in their inception year, and support swelled after

Murray SteamrollAdelaide for APL02 trophy

The Murray Steamers have become the first expansion team to secure an Australian Premier League title

border-town team finished the round-ribbon matches in second position with eight wins from 14 rubbers.

The Adelaide Endurance again proved they shouldn’t be underestimated on the national stage, after causing a stir in the first APL02 semi-final by eliminating the top-of-table New Zealand Blackjacks during the live broadcast encounter to secure passage to the ultimate decider, but came unstuck for a successive year on the final hurdle.

After accounting for the Perth Suns 6-3, 4-all in the second semi-final, the Steamers lit up the Club Pine Rivers carpet in the final, capitalising on the obvious advantage of having just come off the rink moments earlier.

After counts on four successive ends, and a 6 shot margin, the $40,000 first prize cheque

and APL02 silverware appeared destined to be heading back to the border town, with the final score line of 6-2, 5-3 just a formality.

After being crowned champions, Alex Marshall was given further cause for celebration, named the APL02 Most Valuable Player; a honour which he takes from Endurance star Scott Thulborn.

“I’ve enjoyed every single minute of this,” Marshall said after the event.

“I’ve never played in an atmosphere like this before, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Back home they would not believe what happened, I’ll certainly be taking a fee DVDs back to show them.”

The Australian Premier League will head


back to Brisbane’s Club Pine Rivers next year, while the sport’s clubland spin-off format, Jack Attack, was officially unveiled by ambassador Alicia Molik in a pro-am session live on Fox Sports.

Jack Attack emulates the style of play of the revolutionary APL and brings it directly to clubland, where they can capitalise on its social, fast past format to help boast participation, by appealing to people opposed to playing in longer formats like pennant, and providing a more structured competition than barefoot bowls.

The Jack Attack program is intended to be run as a six to eight week competition, staged ideally on a midweek evening, in the format of two bowl triples with substitutions permitted, two sets of five ends, a sudden death tie-breaker if required, and a duration of play of just 60-75 minutes.For more information on Jack Attack, head to jackattack.com.au

Canadian ace Ryan Bester, alongside Scotland’s Alex Marshall, and Moama local Michael Walker.

However lonely you feel, you’re never alone. There are literally millions of bugs, mites and bacteria living in your house. Goodnight.

Robert Wild, Kelvin Kerkow and Mark Casey


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The Australian Open will undergo a major transformation when it rolls out on the coastal tourist destination of the

Gold Coast in 2015.

The wOrld’s biGGesT bOwls fesTivAlJune 13 TO 25, 2015


Bowlers go head to head: Port City Bowling Club President Paul Brady took on Chris Thomas during Thomas’ world record bowls attempt on Thursday. Thomas

Alert pendants have been around for a few years. Generally worn on a lanyard, they’re designed to contact family, friends or emergency services with the push of a button. Until now, the only models available were ones that worked within the range of a cordless phone. A few offer monitored services for a monthly fee.

If you want a pendant that can be used anywhere, whether in the the back garden, down the street or even interstate, there is now a range of Mobile Alert™ pendants to choose from. They work with a SIM card,

CHRIS WILL FOR CANCER RESEARCH

Chris Thomas on a bowls trek to raise cash in cancer fight

Chris is selling shirts to raise money, and so far has raised about $7000 in 10 weeks. It’s a cause close to Chris’ heart. He buried his father Wyneham Thomas on Christmas Eve.

Wyndham died of prostate cancer.Chris said he wanted to do something special for his father’s memory. “He got me into bowls in the first place,” he said.

He was at Port City Bowling Club and Westport Bowling Club on Thursday. Then it was on to Lake Cathie and Kew.

If you would like to donate to the cause, visit Chris’ Facebook page Chris Will for Cancer. You can follow the links to his donations page.

UPDATE I’ve just done my first five months. 420 clubs down and $18,000 funds raised for cancer research.

I like to thank all the clubs I’ve been to so far for their massive generosity. The winner of the first Fashion Club Wear quarterly raffle for $1,000 of club gear went to Banyo Bowling Club. Congratulations to Banyo Bowls Club. I have completed the NSW coast and ACT. I am back in Victoria, heading east.

Chris Thomas 0449 295 342 f: Chris Will For Cancer

aims to visit 700 clubs in one year, and at the same time is raising money in the fight against cancer, the disease which took his father s life. Pic: PETER GLEESON

sharing the same network as a mobile phone, offering 2-way communication with your emergency contacts. There are no monitoring fees and our recommended phone service provider offers a plan with no monthly fees.

Mobile Alerts all have GPS capabilities. This means that your family members can see a map of your location on their mobile phone. Besides the obvious benefits for those with dementia or Alzheimers, this also gives your family peace of mind should you fall or lose consciousness while away from home.

Fall detection is a newly developing technology. If you do fall, your contacts are automatically notified by text of your location and that you’ve fallen.

Falls are unfortunately commonplace as we get older and can cause significant injuries. Many seniors who have fallen report that they were unable to reach a phone to call for help and had to remain on

MOBILE ALERTSthe floor for hours until someone discovered them.

For those who live alone, some form of safety alert device is like personal insurance. We should think of it as a necessary expense, just as we do with car insurance.

We hope we never need it, just as we hope we never have to claim on our auto insurance. Modern technology can be a bit

daunting at times however the Mobile Alert is a simple, easy-to-use device.


Playing at Taren Point Bowls Club, NSW’s Katrina Wright made the most of her home club advantage in the final when she took on SA’s Sue Coultas. Both bowlers were using Henselite Dreamline XGs in a final played in gusty, rainy conditions.

Katrina is a former Australian representative and has won the two other National Titles

Team Henselite’s National Champions of Champions Scott Thulborn and Katrina Wright

on offer, the Australian Open Singles and the Australian Indoors. While her opponent never let her get too far ahead, it was Katrina’s experi-ence that got her over the line and she picked up 4 shots on the final end to win 21-12.

“This win was really special as it was on my home turf. The rain was horizontal into my face but there were lots of spectators there and

all my teammates on the sidelines. To have my family there too was great.”

“As for my Henselite Dreamline XGs, I couldn’t have been any happier with them. The condi-tions were terrible but they worked perfectly. I had full confidence in my bowls.”

This win takes Katrina into the history books as the only woman to win all three Australian National Titles. “It’s a good feeling to have won all three titles. That’s something that no one can take away from you.”

In the final of the men’s event South Australian bowls’ Man of the Moment, Scott Thulborn, continued his stellar form with a 21-13 victory over WA’s Thomas Mitchell.

Scott, who also uses Dreamline XGs, then went on to take part in the Australian Premier League in November as part of the Adelaide Endurance team who finished runners up to the Murray Steamers.

Both Scott and Katrina will pull on the Green and Gold, representing Australia at the World Champion of Champions at Club Helensvale on the Gold Coast in 2015.

Two of Team Henselite’s finest are the new Australian Champion of all Champions after Katrina Wright and Scott Thulborn took out the coveted women’s and men’s singles titles in October this year.


It’s difficult to know where to go when we have lost or are about to lose someone we love. At Mannings Funerals we are experienced in dealing with everything that is required for organising a funeral service at this difficult time. With over two decades of service to the Sydney community, the Mannings family will cater for your every need no matter how difficult the task. At Mannings Funerals your loved one goes from your family to ours.

We can cater for any funeral service, religious or non, culturally significant or specific needs. One of our experienced and friendly Consultants will be able to speak with you to arrange the service of your loved one.You will find that Mannings is one of the few remaining ‘family owned and run’ establishments in Sydney that knows how to provide that special touch, to make it a memorable and dignified occasion for all to remember.

Mannings Funeral Home87 Victoria Rd, Rozelle. Phone: 02 9555 7551

Volunteer! Easy Care Gardening Inc

9983 1644Stay active & keep fit. Subsidised gardening for pensioners

in Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai & Ryde areas.

www.easycaregardening.org.au

This allows the clients to remain in their own homes as the service helps to convert gardens to low maintenance, ensuring that the garden areas are safe and enjoyable.

Our organisation primarily relies on the volunteers who sign up to garden either 1 day a week or fortnight. Easy Care Gardening recruits and trains new volunteers and also provides ongoing training. Gardening is done Monday to Saturday.

Some of Our Aims• To support frail, aged pensioners, carers, and people on a disability support pension by helping them maintain their independence.• To recruit and train volunteers in the techniques used in providing the service.• To work in close liaison with other community service organisations.

At present we have over 800 households that we visit. However we really need more volunteers as numbers of clients continue to grow. Staff oversee the administration of garden visits, team schedules, communication and payments.

Our volunteers are covered by insurance and protected by our occupation health and safety rules. There is no need to be an expert, and volunteers only need to be active and motivated.

Easy Care Gardening Inc. is a non-profit charitable organisation financed in part by a grant from the Department of Social Services through the Home and Community Care Program. Donations from Ku-ring-gai, Hornsby, Ryde and Hunters Hill Councils, as well as donations from community groups, businesses and private individuals also help fund our work.

Easy Care Gardening Inc (ECG) provides a subsidised gardening service to frail, aged pensioners, carers, and people on a disability support pension within the Hornsby, Ku-ring-gai, Ryde and Hunters Hill areas by teams of willing volunteers.

Set as they are, in beautifully landscaped grounds, the diverse displays and exhibitions of the museum indulge the imagination of the visitor. The quaint and the curious - a little country schoolroom, a tiny wooden church and a two-stand shearing shed. The simple cottage of hardwood slabs that was home to the Bradman family in Sir Donald’s infancy, and the memorabilia of showman and boxing promoter, Jimmy Sharman.

The exciting new Temora Ambulance Museum is the result of cooperation between the Ambulance Service and the Rural Museum. More than a score of ambulance vehicles that served the community across the twentieth century provide the centerpiece of an exhibition which explores the many aspects of the development of the ambulance service over the past 120 years.

A major element of Temo-ra’s ‘Bundawarrah Centre’, the Temora Rural Museum shares its site with the Temora Visitor Informa-tion Centre, the commu-nity’s very active ‘Shed 4 Men’, and the Local and Family History Research Centre. Also on site is ‘Mother Shipton’s’, a venue designed to host small

self-catered functions for up to 50 people. Self-serve tea/coffee and locally made slices are always available at ‘Mother Shipton’s, for a very modest charge.The museum regularly mounts feature exhibitions from its textiles collection and hosts a busy program of

temporary exhibitions by local artists and artisans.

Open every day from 9.30am until 5.00pm, except Christmas and Boxing Days, the Rural Museum invites the casual visitor, caravan camper and coach party to come and explore its outstanding reflection of Australian country life.

‘The way we were’, the little things we thought we’d forgotten,

happily called to mind - that’s the magic of a visit to the Temora Rural Museum


The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will cap off its highly successful year - the first under the baton of Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson - with three performances of Elgar’s famous Enigma Variations.

The concerts, led by Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles, will also feature German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann performing the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

Sydney Symphony Orchestra Managing Director Rory Jeffes said the performances of Elgar’s masterpiece would be a fitting end to a year that has, in many ways, signified a new and exciting era for the Orchestra. “We couldn’t be more delighted with the Orchestra’s achievements in what has been a memorable first year under the leadership of our Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson,” Mr Jeffes said.

“Mr Robertson conducted virtuosic performances of the complete cycle of Beethoven’s piano concertos with American pianist Emanuel Ax, showed his commitment to delivering new and engaging concerts at the

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra marks the end of a watershed year with the famous Enigma Variations

Sydney Opera House with the second instalment of his opera-in-concert series, Elektra, and led the Orchestra on its most extensive and successful tour yet of China.

“Looking ahead to 2015, I am filled with excitement and confidence as we embark on what promises to be another deeply satisfying musical journey for our musicians and audiences,” Mr Jeffes added.

Throughout 2014, the Orchestra performed more than 200 concerts attended by more than 300,000 people. These included regional performances in Dubbo, Cobar and Broken Hill, as well as two free concerts in Sydney and Parramatta Park.

More than 40,000 people experienced the SSO’s Education and Developing Artist programmes. A highlight of the education program included a three-day pop-up music camp in Bathurst for students and teachers as part of the Orchestra’s

Playerlink project, which this year celebrated its 20th anniversary.

Last month the SSO was named the winner of the Arts category in the Australian government’s inaugural Australia-China Achievement Awards, in recognition of its ground-breaking work in growing the bilateral cultural and artistic relationship between the two nations.

The award followed the Orchestra’s highly successful third tour of China, held in June/July this year, during which it visited seven cities and performed to more than 10,000 people, with millions more throughout China tuning in to concert broadcasts on the internet, radio and television. The SSO acknowledges the support of, and thanks, the Federal and State Governments, its Principal Partner, Emirates, and Premier Partner, Credit Suisse, and its many other partners, patrons, donors and volunteers.

Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson

Scottish conductor Donald Runnicles

German violinist Frank Peter Zimmermann


Following the 2014 debacle of having seven Champion of Club Champions matches at least partially decided by an official with a stopwatch, Bowls Queensland is going to “review the matter” for 2015.

Let’s hope that those persons given the task will have their priorities right. It’s not all about the organization and schedules. If slow play is the problem empower the umpires with specific rules to penalise those individuals responsible.

25 up is not normally a very long game and given the latest results, an extra half hour would have made all the difference. Surely the most important part of these championships is to find the best, not just to make sure that they are completed on time. If all else fails, maybe we need another day.

With the State Championships, (more aptly described in the far north and western districts as the “SE Qld Open Championships), so biased towards the south east and the elite bowlers, the Champion of Club Champions is really the only time that the rest of the state gets a chance to perform. For the vast majority of bowlers this makes that competition far and away the most important on the calendar. This is the competition that bowlers everywhere can relate to.

To further redress the imbalance between the SE and the rest of the state, surely it’s high time that the current State Championships are just retained as Qld. Open Men’s and Women’s Championships and bowlers in the north and west are given the opportunity to play through from their District and group to the State Championship as in New South Wales. With the current format (and the expense involved), it is no wonder that interest is waning. And

Can Queensland Do (Be) Better in 2015 Champion of Champions?

don’t the state selectors want to see what the rest of the state has to offer?

During the APL, did any of our State Selectors see the ability of Alex Marshall at forty-seven years of age and wonder if there might be someone somewhere in our state of a like age and with the same ability?

Were any of the over thirty finalists in this year’s champion of champions considered to have the potential to represent the state, or were they considered to be too old?

Just what are the criteria for state selection anyway? If it is age and performance at State Championships that just about sinks anyone other than juniors or incumbents or residents of the south east. If the likes of Nathan Rice, and Brett Wilkie were just starting out, would these icons of the sport be considered to be too old for selection?

And while I am on the subject, does anyone else think that our current representatives rely far too much on the drive? It is a very important part of the game but against international competition won’t make up for a lack of ability in other departments.

Membership

Clubs everywhere have largely lost the 35 – 55 age group and that is surely a contributing factor in the closure of so many. Are there any plans to increase the number of members in this age group? Or are we just to continue with business as usual until we finally disappear altogether?

I believe that one of the causes of this membership problem was the misplaced emphasis on junior participation by State and National authorities. As such it cannot be left

to the clubs to repair the damage. As far as finances are concerned, the decline in membership and subsequent loss of revenue cannot be overcome by simply increasing capitation fees.

State Pennant

Hearty congratulations are extended to everyone responsible for the organization. As usual, games were played in intense but friendly competition and the cream rose to the top.

The Deaf Wife Problem Bert feared his wife Peg wasn’t hearing as well as she used to and he thought she might need a hearing aid.Not quite sure how to approach her, he called the family Doctor to discuss the problem. The Doctor told him there is a simple informal test the husband could perform to give the Doctor a better idea about her hearing loss. ‘Here’s what you do,’ said the Doctor, ‘stand about 40 feet away from her, and in a normal conversational speaking tone see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.’ That evening, the wife is in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he was In the den. He says to himself, ‘I’m about 40 feet away, let’s see what happens.’ Then in a normal tone he asks, ‘Honey, what’s for dinner?’ No response. So the husband moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from his wife and repeats, ‘Peg, what’s for dinner?’ Still no response. Next he moves into the dining room where he is about 20 feet from his Wife and asks, ‘Honey, what’s for dinner?’ Again he gets no response. So, he walks up to the kitchen door, about 10 feet away. ‘Honey, what’s for dinner?’ Again there is no response. So he walks right up behind her. ‘Peg, what’s for dinner?’ ‘For Pete’s Sake, Bert, for the FIFTH time, CHICKEN!’

Story by Frank Fox


When I was five years old, I recall my neighbours from the back-blocks of Melbourne packing their car and six kids and heading up to see the Great Barrier Reef.

This was the seventies and the idea had me transfixed: the magic blue waters, white sands islands, corals and fish in all the colours of the rainbow, old wrinkly sea turtles, and giant whales. Better than a shop full of sweets.

Shortly after, and unbeknownst to me at the time, Australia did something historic. Despite the global oil crisis, our government protected the Reef from the threat of oil drilling and declared it what was then the world’s largest marine park. Then in the eighties, it was listed as a world heritage area and later, my dream of visiting the Reef came true. It was unbelievably beautiful and we thought it was protected. Safe.

But not forever. Decades on, the Great Barrier Reef is in trouble. There has been a long slow decline from farm runoff which reduces the water quality and encourages the outbreak of crown-of-thorn starfish.

While our governments, ever so slowly, are investing in and working with farmers to redress this, more funds are needed. And when it comes to industrial development it’s a whole different ball game.

The Queensland government is fast-tracking major mining and industrial developments in Queensland, and that means mega-ports, dredging of seabed, dumping of dredge spoil and a shipping superhighway. Sometimes the dredge spoil is dumped in the Reef ’s clear waters and sometimes in precious wetlands which are havens for waterbirds and the natural filters of the Reef. Either way it’s bad news.

Currently there are plans for about 100 million tonnes of dredging in the Reef ’s waters. There are plans to build or expand seven ports along the Reef which would see an increase in ships from 4000 to 7000.

This scale and speed of industrial development along the Reef is unprecedented in its history. And at a time when the Reef ’s health is suffering, it can’t take the additional pressure of these port expansions.

What can we do? How can we protect our precious world famous Reef?

The Australian Marine Conservation Society’s Fight for the Reef campaign has mobilised thousands of supporters calling on our governments to minimize dredging and ban dumping in the Reef ’s world heritage waters. Working with tourism operators, fishers and community members, people are raising their voices and governments are being forced to listen. Just recently the Queensland government was forced to announce plans to dump some of the dredge spoil on land. But we have a long way to go to ensure that the Reef is safe again.

We owe it to every small child who dreams of one day exploring the magic of the Great Barrier Reef to do what we can. And together we can make a huge difference. Please join us.

For more information and to join in visit fightforthereef.org.au

Felicity WishartGreat Barrier Reef Campaign DirectorAustralian Marine Conservation Society

Dredge spoil being dumped in the Reef ’s world heritage waters in Cairns


The pace of Anzac events is quickening as the 100th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings approaches – yet it’s still not too late to take part in once-in-a-lifetime event that will let you join fellow Australians at Gallipoli 100 years on.

Anzac events are happening already. In Parramatta, NSW, last weekend, servicemen dressed in full uniform paraded the main street to mark 100 years since the raising of the AIF 1st Light Horse at the outbreak of the First World War.

The first convoy to depart for Egypt and Gallipoli left on 1 November 1914, carrying troops of the Australian Imperial Force and New Zealand Expeditionary Force, later known collectively as the Anzacs.

Next Anzac Day, 15 April 2015, will see the main commemorative event at Gallipoli, on the centenary of the Anzac landings there. Even at this late stage, you can still book an unforgettable Anzac Day cruise/tour that visits Gallipoli and tours the

ANZAC CENTENARY 2015 14 DAY ESCORTED CRUISE & TOUR PACKAGE8 night cruise onboard the Louis Cruises luxury cruise ship M/V Louis Cristal

Departing Athens for Istanbul to Istanbul Cruise Post Cruise 2 Night/3 Day Paris and Somme Battlefields

Depart Australia 15th April Returning on 29th April 2015

Join your fellow Australians and New Zealanders at the Anzac Centenary celebrations• M/V Louis Cristal will be your home for 8 nights• Sailing from Athens, the ship will head to Turkey, taking in Istanbul, Limnos and Izmir, with a focus on Gallipoli.• All shore excursions during cruise are included.• Istanbul half day tour including Spice Markets and Chora Museum.• Full day ‘Best of Istanbul’ with lunch.• Four of ancient cities Ephesus and Miletos.• Full day shore excursion to Gallipoli and Anzac Cove*, North Beach and the Ari Burnu beach cemetery. Lunch included.• Anzac Day Centenary – Standing at anchor in the Channel for the Centenary Dawn Service will be a cruise highlight, with live coverage streamed to the onboard screens in the cruise ship’s poolside and theatre.• Passengers who were successful in the official Government Dawn Service ballot will be transferred ashore by Louis Cruises to Anzac Cove and Istanbul afterwards.• After returning from Istanbul, passengers will continue to Paris for a 3 day experience, including a tour to Fromelles Villers Bretonneux and Somme Battlefields where so many diggers fought and lost their lives.• Tour of Paris including Champs–Elysees and Eiffel Tower.

*Conditions Apply. Advertised Price is based on per person twin share cabin and subject to change and availability, based on group departure on 15th April 2015, includes taxes, departure from Sydney, Economy airfare and 8 nights cruise, all meals on ship, shore excursion including Gallipoli shore excursion ^ and pre and post accommodation and touring. Prices are valid as at 1st September 2014 from AUD $6742*, based on Inside Cabin. Horizon Cruise & Tours, member of the Travel Partners Group, ATAS A10506

HOLIDAY FARE INCLUSIONS• Return Economy class airfare ex Sydney.• 8 nights on M/V Louis Cristal.• All meals during cruise.• Port charges/taxes.• Welcome aboard cocktail party.• Pre cruise one night 4 star accommodation in Athens with breakfast.• Post cruise 3 night/3 day Istanbul (1 night), Paris (2 nights) and Villers Bretonneux and Fromelles• 4 star Istanbul hotel accommodation with breakfast. • Group transfers throughout itinerary.

For more information go to www.horizonscruisetours.com.au or contact David Lyons Horizons Cruise & Tours Ph: 0418 289 399E: [email protected]

A few places still available on Anzac cruise/tour of a lifetime

Somme battlefield in France, where so many Diggers fought and lost their lives.

Sydney-based operator Horizons Cruise and Tours, a member of the Travel Partners Group, has a few spaces left on a fully escorted 14-day cruise/tour to Gallipoli Cove aboard the Louis Cruises luxury cruise ship M/V Louis Cristal. Prices for the cruise/tour are very reasonable, starting at A$6742 twin share per person, including return flights from Sydney.

The M/V Louis Cristal cruise and the tour comply with all Turkish Government rules governing Anzac Day 2015.

As David Lyons of Horizons Cruise and Tours explains, the tour goes ashore at Anzac Cove on the Thursday before Anzac Day, avoiding crowds. Rather than anchoring in the Anzac Cove area on Anzac Day, M/V Louis Cristal will anchor at a designated and respectful distance during the Centenary Dawn Service, a cruise highlight which will be screened live to the ship’s poolside and theatre. Passengers who were successful in the official Government Dawn Service

ballot will be transferred ashore by Louis Cruises and escorted to Anzac Cove and after to Istanbul.

The cruise forms part of a special 14-day tour centenary cruise/tour package, departing Sydney on 15 April 2015. The package includes eight nights aboard M V Louis Cristal. Sailing from Athens, the ship heads to Turkey, taking in the exotic ports of Istanbul, Limnos, and Izmir – with focus on Gallipoli – a shore excursion to Anzac Cove, North Beach and the Ari Burnu beach cemetery.

After the screening of the Centenary Dawn Service, the ship will return to Istanbul. From there, passengers will fly to Paris for a tour of the Somme battlefield.

Inclusive of round-strip airfares from Australia, prices for the cruise/tour, including return flights from Sydney, begin at A$6742, twin share per person. For single cabins, prices begin at A$7767. A full list of prices, along with deck plans of the ship and other details, can be seen on: www.horizon-scruisetours.com.au

For more information contact David Lyons at Horizons Cruise and Tours.


The National Anzac Centre is Australia’s fore-most museum dedicated solely to honoring the Anzacs of the First World War. Set within Alba-ny Heritage Park, Western Australia, the Centre offers visitors a deeply personal connection with the Anzac legend revealed through interactive multimedia displays, unique artefacts, rare images and film, and audio commentary.

The National Anzac Centre was opened by the Prime Ministers of Australia and New Zealand and the Premier of Western Australia on 1 November 2014: the centenary of the first Aus-tralian and New Zealand convoy’s departure for war from Albany’s King George Sound.

Within the Centre, the key phases and events of the First World War are told through the stories of the Anzacs themselves. Through its unique content developed by the Western Australian Museum and the Australian War Memorial, the Centre allows visitors assume the identity of one of 32 Anzac-related characters, and follow their personal experience of the Great War: from recruitment, through training and embarkation, ship-board life on the convoys, and on to the conflicts on Gallipoli, in the Middle East and on the Western Front, and post-war ... for those who returned.

As the story of conflicts within the Centre draws to a close, the names of the 41,265 servicemen and servicewomen who left Albany in the first

THE NATIONAL ANZAC CENTRE

and second convoys are revealed: scrolling beneath a Pool of Reflections. The experience concludes with the discovery of each Anzac character’s fate and a Tribute Wall where visitors may document their own feelings and messages to the Anzacs. These appear within the National Anzac Centre, and are then shared with the world via the internet.

In late 1914, over 41,000 Australians and New Zealanders left Albany, bound for the First World War. This is their story.

Anzac soldiers march through Albany ahead of their departure in 1914. Source: City of Albany.

The last sighting of Australian shores for thousands of Anzacs was Albany in 1914. Source: City of Albany


Selected Sailing Date

Embark Ship Nights Price

22 January 2015 Sydney Voyager of the Seas 3 $641.00

19 February 2015 Sydney Voyager of the Seas 3 $612.00

29 November 2015 Sydney Explorer of the Seas 3 $565.00

08 December 2015 Brisbane Legend of the Seas 2 $290.00

Terms and Conditions Prices quotes are per person twin share inside cabinsItinerary may vary by sailing date and itineraries may be changed at the cruise lines discretion. Please check itinerary details at time of booking and before booking other travel services such as airline tickets. Please note, while prices and inclusions are accurate at time of loading they are subject to change due to changes in cruise line policies and pricing and due to currency fluctuations. Currency surcharges may apply. Please check details of price and inclusions at time of booking . Prices quoted above include Everything Travel’s 5% discount offer.

Book & pay for any of our cruises by 31 December 2014 and receive a 5% discount of your cruise fare.

Contact Johanne on 02 9232 1711

Suite 505, Level 5, 267 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000 Telephone: 02 9232 1711 Email: [email protected]


The Gaden Trout Hatchery is located in the Snowy Mountains just outside of the town Jindabyne.

Gaden Trout Hatchery is one of Australia’s main centres for breeding and rearing cold water sport fish including salmon and trout. Hatchery breeding is necessary to supplement natural breeding fish populations and ensure premier recreational fisheries are maintained across the state.

There are tours run daily at the hatchery at the times of 10am and 2pm. There are also group bookings taken at any time between 8am and 4pm daily, seven days a week.

We produce fish each year and release them out into waterways. We have released more than 9.5 million fish in the last five years. From May to September each year, brown and rainbow trout swim upstream from Lake Jindabyne into the Thredbo River on their annual spawning run, where they search for gravel beds in which they lay their eggs.

The spawning fish are trapped in a purpose built trap and are separated into males and females. The female fish is lightly anaesthetised, and her eggs and roe gently removed. The male’s fish

TOUR THE GADEN HATCHERY

is then gently stripped of his milt, which is mixed with the eggs in a bowl, and water is added. The stripped fish are later released back into the river, unharmed. The eggs are then left for 6-8 weeks to develop into a fully formed fish.

In November and December, the fish (or fry) are now about three centimetres long, are ready for release into streams and impoundment’s.

Gaden Trout HatcheryGaden Trout Hatchery

Gaden Trout HatcherySee how premier sport fishare bred and raised!

Open 10 am–4 pm daily.Closed Anzac, Christmas, Boxing day.Guided tours 10 am and 2 pm.Self-guided tours on selected days.Small admission fee.

1293

4

Gaden Rd (off Kosciuszko Rd) Jindabyne. 02 6451 3400www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

* leaping fish * 4 species* aquaria, breeding ponds, AV show* beautiful picnic–BBQ area* smoked trout for sale* find out about kids fishing workshops.

TAYLOR MADE TOURSTOURS FOR ACTIVE SENIORS

Prices include:- All travel, *airfares, accommodation, luxury coach travel,3 MEALS A DAY & FULLY ESCORTED BY SIMON, All excursions and entry fees.

Other tours available. Phone Simon Taylor for more detailed itineraries.02 9918 8224 / 0417264755 Licence No 2TA4700

*Lord Howe Island*6 Days 10 March

$2,695.00ppts

*King & Phillip Island & Melbourne*

7 Days 20 March $2,495.00 ppts

South Aust Limestone Coast & The Grampians

8 Days 12 April $1,495.00 ppts

*South Aust Flinders, Gammon Ranges &

Adelaide*7 Days 10 May$2,495.00 ppts

NSW, QLD & Sth Aust Corner Country &

Broken Hill11 Days 31 May$2,695.00 ppts

Cape York, Torres Strait Islands & Nth Qld*

8 Days 14 June$3,695.00 pptsNSW, South Australia & Queensland

Outback Getaways& 3 nights in Mt Gambier highlighting the Limestone Coast, Penola & the Coonawarra Wine district of South Australia.. A 11 Day Corner Country & Broken Hill Coach tour departing Sydney in May will take in NSW, Queensland & South Australia Outback. Mostly 2 night stays in Quality motels & a 2 night stay on a cattle station. Visits to Burke & wills Dig Tree, the Dog Fence and the Old Strzelecki Track.

Tour operator Taylor Made Tours Pty Ltd have put together a few tours incorporating different destinations in Victoria, South Australia, Queensland & NSW Outback. A 7 Day tour com-mencing in Sydney in March with return flights to Melbourne & then King Island for 3 nights. Another 2 nights on Phillip Island & a night in Melbourne.

A 7 Day Coach tour in April takes in 2 nights in the Grampians National Park in Western Victoria

Another 8 Day tour in June is flying to the Northern tip of Australia via Cairns to Cape York staying 2 nights at the Punsand Bay Resort & 2 nights at the Torres Strait Resort on Horn Island. A guided tour around Thursday & Horn Islands retraces the steps of those who served on the islands during WWII, both American & Australia soldiers. Return to Cairns with 2 nights at Port Douglas.

All tours are all inclusive, airfares, accommodation, attractions, meals & are fully escorted on 5 star coaches.

They have lots of other tours planned for the coming year so if you would like any information on them or if you would like to receive their newsletter please give Simon Taylor a call on 9918 8224 / 04 1726 4755.


Charming old world Greece still exists beyond Athens and the Greek islands. Here is a chance to visit lesser known, yet strikingly beautiful places that most visitors never see. Quiet and picturesque little villages, national parks and out of the way archaeological sites are not all that easy to get to in Greece. Toursgallery has created a new escorted small group tour, deep into the Greek mainland, to villages set amongst the forested mountains, gorges, lakes and national parks of Zagoria, Mani and Pelion. “We have created this journey especially for mature travellers who want to experience a little bit of all that is Greek.” said Ken Osetroff, director of Tours-gallery. Since 1983 Toursgallery has been operating exclusive tours on which guests can enjoy the luxury of a

Young at Heart Holidays operate small group holidays throughout Australia and select overseas destinations including New Zealand and overseas cruising for the 60-plus age group. Individual travellers, couples, friends travelling together and single travelers comprise the Young at Heart “small groups”, normally between 8 and 15 and a maximum of 20 passengers.

“Easy pace travel” is a feature of all our holidays.Holidays range from short breaks of 4 to 8 days up to 19 day itineraries.

Exciting destinations include both well-known and well-loved areas and “off the beaten track” locations including many areas in northern Queensland, central Australia, the Top End and the Kimberley and Australia’s west coast.

We also specialise in “stay put” holidays from 5 to 12 days where we travel either by coach or air to one destination, often choosing apartment style accommodation for the longer holidays, and from this central location we explore the surrounding areas in a very easy pace itinerary.

Destinations are available throughout Australia.

private charter coach, fine food, romantic accommodation and an Australian tour manager.

Created for the discerning traveller, this is a fully escorted off the beaten track event designed for 10 guests. Visiting Greece in June avoids the crowds of summer tourists and rural villages still retain their romantic, peaceful and most photogenic atmosphere. Toursgallery’s 18 day Greek Nature, Culture and Scenic Wonders Tour commences on 7 June 2015 and costs $7,288 per person twin share. To experience the charm of mainland Greece, stroll amongst wildflowers, discover old villages and enjoy great Greek food, contact Toursgallery. Website: www.toursgallery.com For details phone 1300 307 317 or send an email to [email protected]

Greece off the beaten track

Our fares are all inclusive – all meals, accommodation, admittance fees, air fares, most morning and afternoon teas are included, as per detailed itineraries.No nasty surprises or hidden extras.

Fares quoted include departures from major capital cities, including any additional air fares, and pre-tour accommodation and transfers. Home pick-up and return service is included in metropolitan Melbourne. Pack your bags – we’ll do the rest!

Young at Heart Holidays63 Mahoneys Rd, Forest Hill, Victoria Ph: (03) 9875 1411 E. [email protected]

All inclusive holidays for

“60 + over” travellers who are

“Young At Heart”


Phone 1800 815 [email protected]

or contact your local travel agent

www.seniorscoachtours.com.au

KIMBERLEY in 2015

Return airfares are included | Terms and conditions applyppts = per person twin share | ss = single supplment

No single supplement for single travellers wishing to share with the same gender.

2015 BrochurePlease send me a copy of

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SCT 2015 Holidays brochure available now!

Packed with over 43 fantastic holidays, including overseas

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TOURS INCLUDERETURN AIRFARES TO/FROM BRISBANEMODERN 2 DOOR TOILET EQUIPPED COACHES FRIENDLY & EXPERIENCED 2-PERSON CREWCOMFORT PLUS ACCOMMODATIONCOOKED BREAKFASTS, MOST LUNCHES, ALL DINNERS ALL ADMITTANCESMOST MORNING AND AFTERNOON TEAS

Darwin to Broome | 11 daysdeparts Sydney May 28 (fully booked), Jun 11, 25, Jul 30, Aug 13$5,595 ppts $980 ss

Kimberley Short Break | 8 daysdeparts Sydney May 31, Jun 21, Aug 2from $4,095 ppts $595 ss

Kimberley, Kakadu, Darwin | 13 daysdeparts Sydney Jun 7 (fully booked), Jul 19from $6,465 ppts $1,195 ss


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The active ingredient in turmeric, curcumin, has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce the joint pain and swelling of osteoarthritis. The trouble is, curcumin alone is poorly absorbed by the body.

Curcumin Anti-Inflammatory Pain Reliever from Australian NaturalCare contains the superior Meriva curcumin extract which is made using a unique technology to combine the curcumin with phospholipids. Phospholipids act like little ‘delivery trucks’ for the curcumin, which means it is absorbed twice as fast and up to 29 times better than curcumin alone.

In recent clinical trials* people with osteoarthritis who took the Meriva curcumin extract, found they could walk over twice as far on a treadmill test as those who took a standard extract. They also reported that it was significantly easier to go about their daily lives compared to those who received the standard treatment.

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New data from Medibank Private (Medibank) shows that dental disease was the second most common reason Medibank policy holders needed to attend hospital for chronic disease related admissions; accounting for 18% of those admissions in the 2014 financial year.

Dr Terry Pitsikas AM, Chair of the Australian Dental Association (ADA)’s Schedule and Third Party Committee, said: “Since Medibank currently has the largest number of policy memberships in Australia, it’s likely that this pattern also applies to other private health insurance policy holders. This is

Private health insurance can do more to prevent oral health problemsreadmissions for unfinished treatment. The lack of additional rebate for longer duration cases is unfair to policy holders. Many other insurers do not apply this two hour limit for rebates. The risk of a patient needing a second theatre session because of a private health insurer’s rule is hard to justify.”

In spite of continuous premium increases, private health insurers have for years failed to increase the level of rebates policy holders receive for preventive and restorative dental treatment such as basic scale and cleans. The gap between premiums paid and rebates is ever increasing. Private health insurers such as Medibank also place limitations on the frequency of treatments and the actual services rebated by them, such as oral examinations and preventive treatments. For the last three years private health insurers have averaged well in excess of $1 billion surplus per annum for general treatment policies and dental care represents about 52% of general treatment services.

PHIs place annual monetary limits on the amount of rebates policy

not unexpected as dental after medical is the next highest payout by private health insurance to policy holders.

“The figures released by Medibank relate to policy holders yet despite having cover for dental care, 18% of chronic disease related admissions still needed in-patient hospital care for dental treatment. I am concerned that the Medibank figures might be inflated as Medibank insists on restricting rebates to only two hour dental theatre cases. Restorative cases often require more than two hours of treatment so one has to wonder if the figures also include

holders can receive, even though no such limits apply to rebates for medical services. For some services, policy holders are restricted to a “once in a lifetime” claim even though full premiums are demanded annually by PHI even after a claim has been made.

Dr Pitsikas continued, “Restricting policy holders’ access to prevention does not make oral health problems go away. Medibank’s own data shows this.”

Poor oral health has been linked with chronic disease, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This is particularly concerning considering that nine in 10 deaths have chronic disease as an underlying cause.

“Dental disease, such as caries and gum disease are in many cases preventable. PHI need to better support preventive and restorative services so that their policy holders not only avoid dental disease, but also improve their chances of avoiding chronic disease and the hospital too. Many of the restorative issues could be nipped in the bud if detected earlier and avoid many of the hospital admissions”, Dr Pitsikas concluded.


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There are over 9 Australian Skin Cancer Clinics currently in operation throughout Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and we are continuing to expand. We specialise in the early detection, treatment and management of skin cancer and melanoma.

The Australian sun is one of the harshest in the world. Australians have two to three times the number of incidences of skin cancer compared to Canada, the US and the UK. Quite often people think that a sunspot is simply just

a sunspot, but given time, they can change into something that is life threatening.

Any change in a mole is important, and changes can occur in size, shape, and colour, or moles can start to itch or tingle. These are serious warning signs and a signal to get your moles checked.

Unfortunately, 3 to 4 Australians die each day from melanoma and 1 to 2 Australians die of the lesser-known skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.

The real problem with skin cancer and melanoma is that most of the damage occurs before the age of 20, therefore early detection and treatment is vital. Though melanoma is very rare before the age of 14, it does affect young people between the ages of 20 and 40. Squamous cell carcinoma affects mainly the older age group from 55 onwards.

We expect 2 out of every 3 adult Australians to develop skin cancer at some point in their lives that will either be life threatening or severely disfiguring. Many adults recognise that damage done to their skin occurred when they were young, therefore we should all be thinking about our children. Prevention is better than cure, so remember to slip, slop, slap by making sure children are appropriately attired with ultra-violet protective suites, covered in sun screen, and wear hats at all times.

The friendly, experienced staff at Australian Skin Cancer Clinics make it easy for you to come and get your skin checked. Bulk billing is available and no referrals are necessary, so don’t delay, make an appointment today.

Call 1300 SKIN DOC (that’s 1300 7546 362) to speak to your nearest clinic.

It’s never too late to start looking after your skin.

Australian Skin Cancer Clinics1300 SKIN DOC (that’s 1300 7546 362)www.ausskinclinics.com.au

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At Australian Skin Cancer Clinics, we specialise in the early detection, diagnosis, treatment & management of Skin Cancer & Melanoma.

•No referral Necessary

•Doctors with a special interest in Skin Cancer & Melanoma

Call one of our clinics today to book an appointment to have your skin checked.

Did you know that more than 12,500 new cases of Melanoma are diagnosed in Australia every year?

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Currently, a team at the University of Sydney’s Brain & Mind Research Institute is offering a free treatment program, for men aged 50 and over who are suffering with sleep disturbance along with stress or mood problems.

Insomnia is the most common form of sleep dis-turbance and can be a great concern to individuals and significantly impact on everyday life. Previous research has shown that insomnia is a significant risk factor for depression, and when insomnia and mood problems occur together, it is usually indicative of more severe illness. Sleep disturbance can often make treatment more difficult, and can even remain after depressive symptoms subside, and become long-lasting.

The SOMNA study will attempt to find out whether mood problems can be more effectively treated, when an internet-based treatment focusing on sleep problems is provided. The study invites men to participate in a treatment program assessing and treating their mood, health and memory by a team of experienced health profes-sionals.

Do you suffer from problems sleeping? Do you think you might have depression or suf-fer from stress or anxiety? Are you male and over 50 years of age?

Through their participation in the study, men will receive an individualised treatment plan from one of the study clinicians, and will be randomly allocated to use one of two websites, each targeting sleep problems and insomnia. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the websites in alleviating symptoms of insomnia and depression.

You may be eligible if you are male and aged 50 years or more, have access to an internet-enabled computer at home or work, have some depressive and insomnia symptoms and can attend the clinic at the Brain & Mind Research Institute in Camperdown for assessment and treatment over a period of three months.

For further information please contact the SOMNA Research team on 02 9114 4002, [email protected] or visit the study website www.somna.com.au. The study is supported by funding from beyondblue: the national depression and anxiety initiative and the Movember Foundation.

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Picture of a soldier sleeping during an airport layover with his canine partner. There is no measure of loyalty greater than that shown here. Sleep soundly soldier.

A worthy goal in life is to be as good a person as your dog thinks you are!

One hundred years ago, Great Britain went to war. Volunteers came in their thousands, the Empire needed more.Australians answered the call, from cities to the bush.Men volunteered from every State, they vowed to join the push. Who shall forget Gallipoli, the loss at ANZAC Cove, The bravery at Lone Pine, where those men fought and strove.They challenged death at every step, cool madness in their hearts.When they captured that position they knew they had played their part. So on to France, the Western Front, the hell of putrid trench.With spitting of guns, the shriek of the shells and moaning of wounded men.Then came the Somme offensive, they mouthed a heartfelt prayer.When “Over the parapet boys”, came the call. To stop they didn’t dare. They charged to the beating of the guns and streams of red hot lead.Some were falling wounded, some were already dead.They shall not be forgotten, they gave all they could give.Over sixty-one thousand died, the flower of a nation sleep.They made the final sacrifice, now rest in slumber deep. Author: Paul Sykes, 20 October, 2014. Sent in by Les Taylor

Never Forgotten

A picture is worth a 1,000 words!


To organise a brochure to be sent to you or to make an appointmentfor a village tour 7 days a week, contact Tee or Anne 9953 57417 Waters Rd, Neutral Bay NSW 2089 - www.bougainvillearetirement.com

• $1000 holding deposit gives you the first right of refusal on the apartment of your choice, while you put your home on the market. • 1-2 bedroom independent, Strata Titled apartments currently ranging from $335,000 to $650,000 with variety of aspects. • 1 bed Serviced, Strata Titled apartments currently ranging from $250,000 to $350,000. *Price range at time of writing.

Everyones’ idea of the perfect home and lifestyle is different. That’s why we offer a wide range of living options. From large to small, modern to classical and just about everything in between.At Bougainvillea you can choose from an independent or a serviced apartment. We want your home to provide a place that you love to live in, that is easy to look after and provides some care needs if and when you want them delivered, in a non-intrusive, flexible manner.Serviced apartments provide meals, cleaning and laundry on a full time basis or if you prefer to use these services occasionally or not at all, then independent living is for you.You have the security of 24 hour amazing staff on hand should you need help. A location that is second to none, with cafes, supermarkets, medical and dental practices, not to mention transport at your front door.

Bougainvillea, The Bay Club Resort is a strata titled retirement village which consists of over 55’s independent and serviced apartments nestled in the Bay

Located in the trendy but peaceful Lower North Shore suburb of Neutral Bay, Bougainvillea is the ideal location. Residents enjoy the convenience of the shops and transport to the city and beaches at their door.

The best place to take your next stage of life.

With the beach on one side, the city on the other and the harbour at our fingertips there no greater place to settle for our over 55 years.

If you want to feel at home... then Bougainvillea is for you!

“Bougainvillea is well run and a lovely place to live” - Resident.

“I like the easy atmosphere. Help available if required.” - Resident.


All I can say is, “WOW!” What is this? Will it be the next big thing? Tata Motors of India thinks so. What will the Oil Companies do to stop it?

It is an auto engine that runs on air. That’s right; air not gas or diesel or electric but just the air around us. Take a look. Tata Motors of India has scheduled the Air Car to hit Indian streets

The Air Car, developed by ex-For-mula One engineer Guy N. For Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air to push its engine’s pistons and make the car go.

Now this could really put the screws to the Middle East and the carbon foot print...

The Air Car, called the “Mini CAT” could cost around 365,757 rupees in India or $8,177 US.

The Mini CAT which is a simple, light urban car, with a tubular chassis, a body of fiberglass that is glued not welded and powered by compressed air. A Microproces-

sor is used to control all electrical functions of the car. One tiny radio transmitter sends instructions to the lights, turn signals and every other electrical device on the car. Which are not many.

The temperature of the clean air expelled by the exhaust pipe is between 0-15 degrees below zero, which makes it suitable for use by the internal air conditioning system with no need for gases or loss of power.

There are no keys, just an access card which can be read by the car from your pocket. According to the designers, it costs less than 50 rupees per 100 KM, that’s about a tenth the cost of a car running on gas. It’s mileage is about double that of the most advanced electric car, a factor which makes it a perfect choice for city motorists. The car has a top speed of 105 KM per hour or 60 mph and would have a range

of around 300 km or 185 miles between refuels. Refilling the car will take place at adapted gas stations with special air compressors. A fill up will only take two to three minutes and costs approximately 100 rupees ($1.78 CAD!) and the car will be ready to go another 300 kilometers.

This car can also be filled at home with it’s on board compressor. It will take 3-4 hours to refill the tank, but it can be done while you sleep. Because there is no combustion engine, changing the 1 liter of vegetable oil is only necessary every 50,000 KM or 30,000 miles.

Due to its simplicity, there is very little maintenance to be done on this car. This Air Car almost sounds too good to be true.

For further information, visit www.Castlemaineindependent.org/auto-giant/


The Salar de Uyuni is the world’s largest salt flat at 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 sq mi) and it’s a major tourist destination in the South American country of Bolivia. The Salar is vir-tually devoid of any wildlife or vegetation but it is home to an estimated 10 billion tons (9.8 billion LT) of salt.

But what is no less incredible, is where people who visit this amazing place stay, and how does one build something in the middle of the vast emptiness. The answer is quite remarkable.

Anyone arriving to visit this exotic part of the world is in for a real treat and a stay in one of the world’s most unique hotel experiences. Due to a lack of conventional construction mate-rials in this area, many of the hotels here are built entirely with salt blocks cut from the Salar itself. The most famous one is called Palacio de Sal, Spanish for “Palace of salt”.

The hotel is made of about 1 million 35-cm (14-inch) salt blocks, which were used for the

WHAT AMAZES ME IS THE INGENUITY OF THE HUMAN RACE... WE ARE ADAPTABLE!

The Largest Salt Flat in the Worldfloor, walls, ceiling and furniture, including the beds, tables, chairs and sculptures. The hotel even has a dry sauna and a steam room, a saltwater pool and whirlpool baths for guests to relax in and fully enjoy this unreal place.

Imagine what it feels like, sleeping on salt beds, sitting on salt chairs and even eating at salt tables. And while no one can deny how beautiful everything in this hotel is, that beauty is nothing compared to the view…

The salt flats are so white and clear they often show a perfect reflection of the sky and the objects above them. In fact, because the Salar is so flat and has such a strong reflection, similar to that of ice sheets, it is used for calibrating the distance measurement equipment of satellites in space!

The white, endless flats also offer visitors a unique opportunity to take some truly mind bending pictures. With no other objects in sights, the human eye loses its ability to establish a proper field of depth. The results are

some of the most creative and bizarre pictures you will ever see…

The salar is truly a place like no other, a magical kingdom of salt and beauty where one can drive on the endless flats and see the sky both above and below him. It is just one of many places on earth that prove that beauty has no rules and that nature always has one more trick up her sleeve.

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Bowls plus nsw dec 2014 jan 2015

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