IN a bid to soften the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, this week the federal government announced its second economic stimulus package, worth $189 billion over the next three years. National Seniors Australia explain what’s in it for the over-55s: SUPERANNUATION The government will halve the drawdown rate, as was done during the GFC…

THE Fremantle Doctor tickles at the tree tops that protect a small, limestone walled garden. Leaves rustle in a soft symphony of appreciation. The setting could be southern Europe, so magical has been the makeover of a dusty, exhausted patch of ground in Palmyra. In only eight months, senior citizen Lorraine Burke has transformed the…

THE functional limitations of Perth’s grocery supply chains have been exposed by the recent shortages of rice, beans and even toilet paper, and in response many people are beginning to wonder if it’s too late to plant a garden in order to ensure some measure of self-sufficiency if there’s a Coronavirus lock-down. I always tell…

IF you’ve ever bribed your kids into eating carrots by saying it’ll help them see in the dark, you’ve been an unwitting victim of a military grade ‘psy-op’ (psychological operation). This disinformation-disguised-as-an-old-wive’s-tale originated during the Battle of Britain in WWII, as England desperately tried to fend off swarms of German bomber aircraft. Hardy and versatile:…

DAVID MACONOCHIE is a violinist and GP and has been performing with WACO for three years. AS the last glimmer of sound from the violins faded away, leaving a faint pulsing from the basses, the lights of Perth Concert Hall dimmed and a multitude held their breath, tears in many eyes. For a full 10…

THIS year the Fremantle Chamber Orchestra celebrates its 15th anniversary; quite an extraordinary performance from a group of classical musos who do it all with barely a sniff of funding. Much of the FCO’s success can be attributed to the super-human enthusiasm of founder and cellist Hans Hug. Here he discusses how it all came…

A NEW collaborative approach to researching tinnitus could lead to a breakthrough in treatment, says the Tinnitus Research Initiative. Historically, tinnitus research has been undertaken by individuals or small groups from a wide range of disciplines working independently. But the non-profit foundation Tinnitus Research Initiative is bringing together experts from a variety of fields to…

ELIZABETH DAVIE’S new show Apex Predator is a dark comedy that draws on her experience of an abusive relationship. The show explores violence against women, how women feel in public places, vulnerability and power. “I bring the personal and political together in my show,” says Davie, a stand-up comic who won the best comedy award…

ARE you over 50 and a bit baffled by Twitter, cloud storage and all things IT-related? Then you’ll want to attend Bayswater’s Technology Uncovered, a free series of four-week courses on basic computer skills, online safety, email and social media. “These free courses will help participants master the basics and feel more confident navigating all…

THERE’S some great free senior’s presentations in 2020. On February 12, The Council on the Ageing will show you have to navigate the often confusing aged care system. Many seniors living in their own home are unaware they are eligible for support services or don’t know how to access them. COTA will simplify all the…