Latest news with #TheSenior
The Advertiser
a day ago
- General
- The Advertiser
'Fiercely loyal': The people who keep this tiny town's heart beating
Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Beyond the silos and green spaces of this beautiful country town lies an infectious community spirit. The tiny town of Geranium in South Australia, near the Mallee Highway, has had its population shrink to double digits, but there are families still there who treasure it. "It's a really unique little community in that it's fiercely loyal," said resident Margaret Smith. Read more in The Senior The town's Community Hub bought the Geranium Primary School from the state government for $1.10 earlier this year after it had closed due to dwindling enrolment numbers. Since the purchase, an Op Shop has opened at the site in the old technology area, and there are plans for a cafe to start soon. A gym and yoga classes have been run from the school already. Geranium Community Hub secretary Anne Bond grew up in the town, with her great-grandparents moving to a farm there in 1910. Mrs Bond recalls seeing numerous families on farms in the town and neighbouring areas, with community life revolving around sporting clubs, and the school becoming a focal point in the district. She said there was a lot of grief when the school closed, but there was a strong community response. "That brought a lot of people together to support that dreaming of what we could do with the school," she said. "We felt that we can make it a meeting place." In the town, there is a bowling club that hosts meals plus several games, a community pool that runs in the summer, an antique shop, a post office, Uniting Church, a space for free camping and a a Soldiers Memorial Park - a nice space to "meditate and have afternoon tea", said Mrs Bond. Geranium is part of the Southern Mallee district, where farming became a big part of the region's development after railway services started in the early 1900s. According to the 2021 Census data, Geranium's population was 83, down from 240 in 2006. There are several volunteers who donate their time to keep the town's spirit and connectedness alive. Adam Morgan is a fourth-generation farmer in the town with his wife, Tanja, and they have three children. "I've lived here all my life... I love farming here, but also enjoy the small community," he said. The Geranium Community Hub chair said keeping the school in community hands has given people a place to gather, including for working bees and local events. "School has always been somewhere where people have been able to go," he said. Margaret Smith opened the Op Shop at the school shortly after the sale. "It's a really good connecting place for locals," she said. Ms Smith and her husband David - who is involved with the local Uniting Church - moved to the town about 40 years ago. They have barley, wheat, canola and sheep on their farm, plus David breeds Merino rams. The couple's five children were students at the school and Ms Smith worked there for a time, including as a teacher and a pastoral worker. She recalls families rallying together for school and other community events, and noted how even today, lots of people put their hand up for various causes. "Everyone sort of pitched in... there's a real loyalty [here]," she said. Rosemary Howard is the editor of The Guardian, the town's newsletter and has lived in Geranium with her husband Peter since 1968. Their children went to the town's school and their son lives next door, where he has cattle, dorper sheep and crops. Mrs Howard had noticed people had been moving to the town in recent years in search of quietness and cheaper housing. Socially, she said the bowling club's dinners attracted people far and wide, and she loved having a coffee at the Op Shop recently with people who had just finished a yoga class. "It's always been a friendly town," she said. "It really is just a very friendly, welcoming place." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
A fine vintage: Nine of the most influential stars born in 1958
They've lit up our screens and stereos during times when music was bought on vinyl and films were rented at a video store. Several stars who have shaped popular culture were born in 1958, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and Jamie Lee Curtis. What was it about that particular year that brought so much talent? We've selected nine who have left an impact, but know there are many more. If there's anyone from that year who you think deserves a mention, drop their name in the comments below. Read more in The Senior The filmmaker and producer has produced several films that have made us laugh, wince and be in suspense. He came to prominence with Beetlejuice (1988) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) and captured our imaginations with Mars Attacks! (1996) and Planet of the Apes (2001), among others. Musicals also took a twist in his productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). More recently, he's directed several episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday and directed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024. Showing that girls can rock, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Gos, who had hits including Our Lips Are Sealed, and then went on to have a successful solo career with hits including Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Leave a Light On and Summer Rain. She toured Australia in 2024 and is preparing to release her new album Once Upon a Time in California this year. The American actor and film producer has moved us for decades in a plethora of movies and TV shows. His long list of credits includes Beetlejuice (1988), The Cooler (2003), Along Came Polly (2004) and two Mission: Impossible Films, plus a highly successful run on the series 30 Rock. Today he's starring in The Baldwins, a behind-the-scenes TV show of his family's life with wife Hilaria and their seven children, which can be streamed on Binge. Author, actor and producer Jamie Lee Curtis has proven her versatility as a performer, skipping across genres from horror to comedy and more. She's scared us out of our wits in films including Halloween (1978) and Blue Steel (1990). On the funnier side, she made us laugh in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for portraying Helen Tasker in the comedy action film True Lies (1994). Today, she's gearing up for a sequel to Freaky Friday, which she starred in alongside Lindsay Lohan in 2003. Freakier Friday will be released in Australian cinemas on August 7, 2025. The King of Pop charmed us as a talented kid as part of the Jackson 5, before becoming a successful artist in his own right. Among his hit albums were Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, and his infamous moonwalk during a performance of Billie Jean became legendary. His music took a socially conscious turn in the 1990s with songs including Black or White and Earth Song in the 1990s. Passing in 2009, his memory lives on with MJ The Musical, which centres around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It's showing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August and will move to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in September. The Material Girl has had us vogueing, wearing numerous bracelets and dancing since 1983 when her first big hit, Holiday, broke into the charts. Among her biggest albums have been Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dancefloor, plus she's starred in movies including A League of Their Own (1992) and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). She completed The Celebration Tour last year and will release Veronica Electronica, a remix album of songs from her 1998 record Ray of Light, on July 25. Pfeiffer has had a stellar career with roles including Elvira Hancock in Scarface (1983), starring alongside Al Pacino, plus playing Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992) and LouAnne Johnson in Dangerous Minds (1995). While she's taken career breaks over the years, she's kept in the public eye, with roles including Janet van Dyne in Marvel's Ant-Man (2015) and its sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). More recently, she has been announced to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margot's Got Money Troubles. Her hands and footprints were memorialised in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25 in honour of her work. The skilled musician kept us hooked with his incredible songwriting skills, androgynous looks and unmistakable falsetto. The prolific musician produced 39 albums and delivered anthems including Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret, to name a few. He famously changed his stage name to a symbol in the 1990s. Passing in 2016, you can visit his estate, Paisley Park, just out of Minneapolis and walk through where he recorded some of his music, plus see selected instruments, awards and clothes. Sweetie, darling, the comedian Jennifer Saunders has made us laugh with a slew of shows and films. She was one half of the sketch show French and Saunders alongside Dawn French, and kept us giggling as Edina Monsoon in the hit series Absolutely Fabulous, which spawned a feature film. She'll be making a guest appearance on the upcoming Netflix series Too Much. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. They've lit up our screens and stereos during times when music was bought on vinyl and films were rented at a video store. Several stars who have shaped popular culture were born in 1958, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and Jamie Lee Curtis. What was it about that particular year that brought so much talent? We've selected nine who have left an impact, but know there are many more. If there's anyone from that year who you think deserves a mention, drop their name in the comments below. Read more in The Senior The filmmaker and producer has produced several films that have made us laugh, wince and be in suspense. He came to prominence with Beetlejuice (1988) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) and captured our imaginations with Mars Attacks! (1996) and Planet of the Apes (2001), among others. Musicals also took a twist in his productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). More recently, he's directed several episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday and directed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024. Showing that girls can rock, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Gos, who had hits including Our Lips Are Sealed, and then went on to have a successful solo career with hits including Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Leave a Light On and Summer Rain. She toured Australia in 2024 and is preparing to release her new album Once Upon a Time in California this year. The American actor and film producer has moved us for decades in a plethora of movies and TV shows. His long list of credits includes Beetlejuice (1988), The Cooler (2003), Along Came Polly (2004) and two Mission: Impossible Films, plus a highly successful run on the series 30 Rock. Today he's starring in The Baldwins, a behind-the-scenes TV show of his family's life with wife Hilaria and their seven children, which can be streamed on Binge. Author, actor and producer Jamie Lee Curtis has proven her versatility as a performer, skipping across genres from horror to comedy and more. She's scared us out of our wits in films including Halloween (1978) and Blue Steel (1990). On the funnier side, she made us laugh in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for portraying Helen Tasker in the comedy action film True Lies (1994). Today, she's gearing up for a sequel to Freaky Friday, which she starred in alongside Lindsay Lohan in 2003. Freakier Friday will be released in Australian cinemas on August 7, 2025. The King of Pop charmed us as a talented kid as part of the Jackson 5, before becoming a successful artist in his own right. Among his hit albums were Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, and his infamous moonwalk during a performance of Billie Jean became legendary. His music took a socially conscious turn in the 1990s with songs including Black or White and Earth Song in the 1990s. Passing in 2009, his memory lives on with MJ The Musical, which centres around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It's showing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August and will move to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in September. The Material Girl has had us vogueing, wearing numerous bracelets and dancing since 1983 when her first big hit, Holiday, broke into the charts. Among her biggest albums have been Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dancefloor, plus she's starred in movies including A League of Their Own (1992) and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). She completed The Celebration Tour last year and will release Veronica Electronica, a remix album of songs from her 1998 record Ray of Light, on July 25. Pfeiffer has had a stellar career with roles including Elvira Hancock in Scarface (1983), starring alongside Al Pacino, plus playing Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992) and LouAnne Johnson in Dangerous Minds (1995). While she's taken career breaks over the years, she's kept in the public eye, with roles including Janet van Dyne in Marvel's Ant-Man (2015) and its sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). More recently, she has been announced to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margot's Got Money Troubles. Her hands and footprints were memorialised in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25 in honour of her work. The skilled musician kept us hooked with his incredible songwriting skills, androgynous looks and unmistakable falsetto. The prolific musician produced 39 albums and delivered anthems including Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret, to name a few. He famously changed his stage name to a symbol in the 1990s. Passing in 2016, you can visit his estate, Paisley Park, just out of Minneapolis and walk through where he recorded some of his music, plus see selected instruments, awards and clothes. Sweetie, darling, the comedian Jennifer Saunders has made us laugh with a slew of shows and films. She was one half of the sketch show French and Saunders alongside Dawn French, and kept us giggling as Edina Monsoon in the hit series Absolutely Fabulous, which spawned a feature film. She'll be making a guest appearance on the upcoming Netflix series Too Much. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. They've lit up our screens and stereos during times when music was bought on vinyl and films were rented at a video store. Several stars who have shaped popular culture were born in 1958, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and Jamie Lee Curtis. What was it about that particular year that brought so much talent? We've selected nine who have left an impact, but know there are many more. If there's anyone from that year who you think deserves a mention, drop their name in the comments below. Read more in The Senior The filmmaker and producer has produced several films that have made us laugh, wince and be in suspense. He came to prominence with Beetlejuice (1988) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) and captured our imaginations with Mars Attacks! (1996) and Planet of the Apes (2001), among others. Musicals also took a twist in his productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). More recently, he's directed several episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday and directed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024. Showing that girls can rock, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Gos, who had hits including Our Lips Are Sealed, and then went on to have a successful solo career with hits including Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Leave a Light On and Summer Rain. She toured Australia in 2024 and is preparing to release her new album Once Upon a Time in California this year. The American actor and film producer has moved us for decades in a plethora of movies and TV shows. His long list of credits includes Beetlejuice (1988), The Cooler (2003), Along Came Polly (2004) and two Mission: Impossible Films, plus a highly successful run on the series 30 Rock. Today he's starring in The Baldwins, a behind-the-scenes TV show of his family's life with wife Hilaria and their seven children, which can be streamed on Binge. Author, actor and producer Jamie Lee Curtis has proven her versatility as a performer, skipping across genres from horror to comedy and more. She's scared us out of our wits in films including Halloween (1978) and Blue Steel (1990). On the funnier side, she made us laugh in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for portraying Helen Tasker in the comedy action film True Lies (1994). Today, she's gearing up for a sequel to Freaky Friday, which she starred in alongside Lindsay Lohan in 2003. Freakier Friday will be released in Australian cinemas on August 7, 2025. The King of Pop charmed us as a talented kid as part of the Jackson 5, before becoming a successful artist in his own right. Among his hit albums were Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, and his infamous moonwalk during a performance of Billie Jean became legendary. His music took a socially conscious turn in the 1990s with songs including Black or White and Earth Song in the 1990s. Passing in 2009, his memory lives on with MJ The Musical, which centres around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It's showing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August and will move to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in September. The Material Girl has had us vogueing, wearing numerous bracelets and dancing since 1983 when her first big hit, Holiday, broke into the charts. Among her biggest albums have been Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dancefloor, plus she's starred in movies including A League of Their Own (1992) and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). She completed The Celebration Tour last year and will release Veronica Electronica, a remix album of songs from her 1998 record Ray of Light, on July 25. Pfeiffer has had a stellar career with roles including Elvira Hancock in Scarface (1983), starring alongside Al Pacino, plus playing Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992) and LouAnne Johnson in Dangerous Minds (1995). While she's taken career breaks over the years, she's kept in the public eye, with roles including Janet van Dyne in Marvel's Ant-Man (2015) and its sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). More recently, she has been announced to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margot's Got Money Troubles. Her hands and footprints were memorialised in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25 in honour of her work. The skilled musician kept us hooked with his incredible songwriting skills, androgynous looks and unmistakable falsetto. The prolific musician produced 39 albums and delivered anthems including Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret, to name a few. He famously changed his stage name to a symbol in the 1990s. Passing in 2016, you can visit his estate, Paisley Park, just out of Minneapolis and walk through where he recorded some of his music, plus see selected instruments, awards and clothes. Sweetie, darling, the comedian Jennifer Saunders has made us laugh with a slew of shows and films. She was one half of the sketch show French and Saunders alongside Dawn French, and kept us giggling as Edina Monsoon in the hit series Absolutely Fabulous, which spawned a feature film. She'll be making a guest appearance on the upcoming Netflix series Too Much. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. They've lit up our screens and stereos during times when music was bought on vinyl and films were rented at a video store. Several stars who have shaped popular culture were born in 1958, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince and Jamie Lee Curtis. What was it about that particular year that brought so much talent? We've selected nine who have left an impact, but know there are many more. If there's anyone from that year who you think deserves a mention, drop their name in the comments below. Read more in The Senior The filmmaker and producer has produced several films that have made us laugh, wince and be in suspense. He came to prominence with Beetlejuice (1988) and Edward Scissorhands (1990) and captured our imaginations with Mars Attacks! (1996) and Planet of the Apes (2001), among others. Musicals also took a twist in his productions of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007). More recently, he's directed several episodes of the Netflix series Wednesday and directed Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in 2024. Showing that girls can rock, Carlisle co-founded The Go-Gos, who had hits including Our Lips Are Sealed, and then went on to have a successful solo career with hits including Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Leave a Light On and Summer Rain. She toured Australia in 2024 and is preparing to release her new album Once Upon a Time in California this year. The American actor and film producer has moved us for decades in a plethora of movies and TV shows. His long list of credits includes Beetlejuice (1988), The Cooler (2003), Along Came Polly (2004) and two Mission: Impossible Films, plus a highly successful run on the series 30 Rock. Today he's starring in The Baldwins, a behind-the-scenes TV show of his family's life with wife Hilaria and their seven children, which can be streamed on Binge. Author, actor and producer Jamie Lee Curtis has proven her versatility as a performer, skipping across genres from horror to comedy and more. She's scared us out of our wits in films including Halloween (1978) and Blue Steel (1990). On the funnier side, she made us laugh in A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for portraying Helen Tasker in the comedy action film True Lies (1994). Today, she's gearing up for a sequel to Freaky Friday, which she starred in alongside Lindsay Lohan in 2003. Freakier Friday will be released in Australian cinemas on August 7, 2025. The King of Pop charmed us as a talented kid as part of the Jackson 5, before becoming a successful artist in his own right. Among his hit albums were Off The Wall, Thriller, Bad and Dangerous, and his infamous moonwalk during a performance of Billie Jean became legendary. His music took a socially conscious turn in the 1990s with songs including Black or White and Earth Song in the 1990s. Passing in 2009, his memory lives on with MJ The Musical, which centres around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. It's showing at the Sydney Lyric Theatre in August and will move to Her Majesty's Theatre in Melbourne in September. The Material Girl has had us vogueing, wearing numerous bracelets and dancing since 1983 when her first big hit, Holiday, broke into the charts. Among her biggest albums have been Like a Virgin, Like a Prayer, Ray of Light and Confessions on a Dancefloor, plus she's starred in movies including A League of Their Own (1992) and Desperately Seeking Susan (1985). She completed The Celebration Tour last year and will release Veronica Electronica, a remix album of songs from her 1998 record Ray of Light, on July 25. Pfeiffer has had a stellar career with roles including Elvira Hancock in Scarface (1983), starring alongside Al Pacino, plus playing Catwoman in Batman Returns (1992) and LouAnne Johnson in Dangerous Minds (1995). While she's taken career breaks over the years, she's kept in the public eye, with roles including Janet van Dyne in Marvel's Ant-Man (2015) and its sequel Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018). More recently, she has been announced to star alongside Nicole Kidman in the upcoming Apple TV+ series Margot's Got Money Troubles. Her hands and footprints were memorialised in cement at the TCL Chinese Theatre on April 25 in honour of her work. The skilled musician kept us hooked with his incredible songwriting skills, androgynous looks and unmistakable falsetto. The prolific musician produced 39 albums and delivered anthems including Purple Rain, Little Red Corvette and Raspberry Beret, to name a few. He famously changed his stage name to a symbol in the 1990s. Passing in 2016, you can visit his estate, Paisley Park, just out of Minneapolis and walk through where he recorded some of his music, plus see selected instruments, awards and clothes. Sweetie, darling, the comedian Jennifer Saunders has made us laugh with a slew of shows and films. She was one half of the sketch show French and Saunders alongside Dawn French, and kept us giggling as Edina Monsoon in the hit series Absolutely Fabulous, which spawned a feature film. She'll be making a guest appearance on the upcoming Netflix series Too Much. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
Aussie's rented rooms to boarders 100 years ago but would it work now?
A joint research study is looking at the viability of home owners renting a spare bedroom to people at risk of homelessness, though some say it opens the door for elder abuse. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare are surveying people nationwide to see if intergenerational share housing could be considered a safe and beneficial practice. Dr Anna McKinley, from the university's School of Law and Society, told The Senior the survey aims to give insight to combat Australia's housing affordability crisis, with researchers hoping present recommendations to policy-makers. Read more from The Senior: "There's lots of people in the community with spare bedrooms that could help minimise the housing crisis if some of these rooms were utilised as share opportunities," Dr McKinley said. "Is that an option? Is that a possibility? What would that mean? What would people want before they would be able to do that?" By finding out directly from homeowners, it is hoped specific requirements will be revealed and discussed, potentially covering topics like safety, legal implications and social impacts. Dr McKinley said there were many people facing housing insecurity "for no fault of their own" and could benefit from a rent-a-room scheme - but the homeowner could also have a positive experience. "It's the people who own a house but are socially poor, or who are cash poor, who could benefit from having a housemate," she said. "And one group of people is the elderly, who are starting to age, but are not at that point yet of needing help. "But to have somebody living with them when they were reaching that stage would be really beneficial." The report would provide a framework on how Anglicare, Southern Queensland, could set up a support service. They then hope to run those support services as a pilot in the next couple of years. Far from being a new concept, Dr McKinley said Australians have rented rooms before. "It's previously worked. If we go back to the 30s, 40s, 50s - last time there was a major housing issue, people did rent out spare rooms, families had a boarder," she said. Dr McKinley admitted that "any system is open to abuse" and the project was keen to see how the risks can be minimised. Housing for the Aged Action Group's (HAAG) new report has shown a clear link between housing and elder abuse. The report looks at older Australians suspected to be victims of abuse who were experiencing housing issues between 2020-2024 and who approached the group for help. The findings revealed elder abuse happened in close family relationships - but also in shared living arrangements. The report stated that "secure and stable housing" is a "critical pathway out of abuse". HAAG's Executive Officer, Fiona York, said the report's "deep dive" reveal many older Australians are living with people who are harming them - but in many cases they had no choice but to stay in the situation. "Rising costs and limited availability of affordable housing leaves many people trapped in cycles of abuse," Ms York said. "Integrating housing support within the broader context of elder abuse and family violence will also be critical to improving outcomes for older people facing abuse and mistreatment." Worryingly, the report also found "older Australians of any age" were at risk of abuse and were likely to be living with the people causing them harm. A lack of knowledge on what constitutes elder abuse among victims was uncovered adding another challenge for older Australians to face - recognising when they were in harms way. It follows comments from a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) economist proposed in April 2025 that homeowners should be incentivised to rent their spare room to a homeless person, as the housing issue is not due to ease until "2029". Dr Lyndall Bryant, from the QUT Centre for Justice and School of Economics and Finance said there were 13 million unused bedrooms in existing housing stock in Australia. "Millions of empty bedrooms exist and yet many older homeowners live in poverty rather than risk losing their pension or paying taxes by renting out a spare bedroom", she previously told The Senior. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare survey can be found on this link. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A joint research study is looking at the viability of home owners renting a spare bedroom to people at risk of homelessness, though some say it opens the door for elder abuse. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare are surveying people nationwide to see if intergenerational share housing could be considered a safe and beneficial practice. Dr Anna McKinley, from the university's School of Law and Society, told The Senior the survey aims to give insight to combat Australia's housing affordability crisis, with researchers hoping present recommendations to policy-makers. Read more from The Senior: "There's lots of people in the community with spare bedrooms that could help minimise the housing crisis if some of these rooms were utilised as share opportunities," Dr McKinley said. "Is that an option? Is that a possibility? What would that mean? What would people want before they would be able to do that?" By finding out directly from homeowners, it is hoped specific requirements will be revealed and discussed, potentially covering topics like safety, legal implications and social impacts. Dr McKinley said there were many people facing housing insecurity "for no fault of their own" and could benefit from a rent-a-room scheme - but the homeowner could also have a positive experience. "It's the people who own a house but are socially poor, or who are cash poor, who could benefit from having a housemate," she said. "And one group of people is the elderly, who are starting to age, but are not at that point yet of needing help. "But to have somebody living with them when they were reaching that stage would be really beneficial." The report would provide a framework on how Anglicare, Southern Queensland, could set up a support service. They then hope to run those support services as a pilot in the next couple of years. Far from being a new concept, Dr McKinley said Australians have rented rooms before. "It's previously worked. If we go back to the 30s, 40s, 50s - last time there was a major housing issue, people did rent out spare rooms, families had a boarder," she said. Dr McKinley admitted that "any system is open to abuse" and the project was keen to see how the risks can be minimised. Housing for the Aged Action Group's (HAAG) new report has shown a clear link between housing and elder abuse. The report looks at older Australians suspected to be victims of abuse who were experiencing housing issues between 2020-2024 and who approached the group for help. The findings revealed elder abuse happened in close family relationships - but also in shared living arrangements. The report stated that "secure and stable housing" is a "critical pathway out of abuse". HAAG's Executive Officer, Fiona York, said the report's "deep dive" reveal many older Australians are living with people who are harming them - but in many cases they had no choice but to stay in the situation. "Rising costs and limited availability of affordable housing leaves many people trapped in cycles of abuse," Ms York said. "Integrating housing support within the broader context of elder abuse and family violence will also be critical to improving outcomes for older people facing abuse and mistreatment." Worryingly, the report also found "older Australians of any age" were at risk of abuse and were likely to be living with the people causing them harm. A lack of knowledge on what constitutes elder abuse among victims was uncovered adding another challenge for older Australians to face - recognising when they were in harms way. It follows comments from a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) economist proposed in April 2025 that homeowners should be incentivised to rent their spare room to a homeless person, as the housing issue is not due to ease until "2029". Dr Lyndall Bryant, from the QUT Centre for Justice and School of Economics and Finance said there were 13 million unused bedrooms in existing housing stock in Australia. "Millions of empty bedrooms exist and yet many older homeowners live in poverty rather than risk losing their pension or paying taxes by renting out a spare bedroom", she previously told The Senior. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare survey can be found on this link. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A joint research study is looking at the viability of home owners renting a spare bedroom to people at risk of homelessness, though some say it opens the door for elder abuse. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare are surveying people nationwide to see if intergenerational share housing could be considered a safe and beneficial practice. Dr Anna McKinley, from the university's School of Law and Society, told The Senior the survey aims to give insight to combat Australia's housing affordability crisis, with researchers hoping present recommendations to policy-makers. Read more from The Senior: "There's lots of people in the community with spare bedrooms that could help minimise the housing crisis if some of these rooms were utilised as share opportunities," Dr McKinley said. "Is that an option? Is that a possibility? What would that mean? What would people want before they would be able to do that?" By finding out directly from homeowners, it is hoped specific requirements will be revealed and discussed, potentially covering topics like safety, legal implications and social impacts. Dr McKinley said there were many people facing housing insecurity "for no fault of their own" and could benefit from a rent-a-room scheme - but the homeowner could also have a positive experience. "It's the people who own a house but are socially poor, or who are cash poor, who could benefit from having a housemate," she said. "And one group of people is the elderly, who are starting to age, but are not at that point yet of needing help. "But to have somebody living with them when they were reaching that stage would be really beneficial." The report would provide a framework on how Anglicare, Southern Queensland, could set up a support service. They then hope to run those support services as a pilot in the next couple of years. Far from being a new concept, Dr McKinley said Australians have rented rooms before. "It's previously worked. If we go back to the 30s, 40s, 50s - last time there was a major housing issue, people did rent out spare rooms, families had a boarder," she said. Dr McKinley admitted that "any system is open to abuse" and the project was keen to see how the risks can be minimised. Housing for the Aged Action Group's (HAAG) new report has shown a clear link between housing and elder abuse. The report looks at older Australians suspected to be victims of abuse who were experiencing housing issues between 2020-2024 and who approached the group for help. The findings revealed elder abuse happened in close family relationships - but also in shared living arrangements. The report stated that "secure and stable housing" is a "critical pathway out of abuse". HAAG's Executive Officer, Fiona York, said the report's "deep dive" reveal many older Australians are living with people who are harming them - but in many cases they had no choice but to stay in the situation. "Rising costs and limited availability of affordable housing leaves many people trapped in cycles of abuse," Ms York said. "Integrating housing support within the broader context of elder abuse and family violence will also be critical to improving outcomes for older people facing abuse and mistreatment." Worryingly, the report also found "older Australians of any age" were at risk of abuse and were likely to be living with the people causing them harm. A lack of knowledge on what constitutes elder abuse among victims was uncovered adding another challenge for older Australians to face - recognising when they were in harms way. It follows comments from a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) economist proposed in April 2025 that homeowners should be incentivised to rent their spare room to a homeless person, as the housing issue is not due to ease until "2029". Dr Lyndall Bryant, from the QUT Centre for Justice and School of Economics and Finance said there were 13 million unused bedrooms in existing housing stock in Australia. "Millions of empty bedrooms exist and yet many older homeowners live in poverty rather than risk losing their pension or paying taxes by renting out a spare bedroom", she previously told The Senior. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare survey can be found on this link. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A joint research study is looking at the viability of home owners renting a spare bedroom to people at risk of homelessness, though some say it opens the door for elder abuse. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare are surveying people nationwide to see if intergenerational share housing could be considered a safe and beneficial practice. Dr Anna McKinley, from the university's School of Law and Society, told The Senior the survey aims to give insight to combat Australia's housing affordability crisis, with researchers hoping present recommendations to policy-makers. Read more from The Senior: "There's lots of people in the community with spare bedrooms that could help minimise the housing crisis if some of these rooms were utilised as share opportunities," Dr McKinley said. "Is that an option? Is that a possibility? What would that mean? What would people want before they would be able to do that?" By finding out directly from homeowners, it is hoped specific requirements will be revealed and discussed, potentially covering topics like safety, legal implications and social impacts. Dr McKinley said there were many people facing housing insecurity "for no fault of their own" and could benefit from a rent-a-room scheme - but the homeowner could also have a positive experience. "It's the people who own a house but are socially poor, or who are cash poor, who could benefit from having a housemate," she said. "And one group of people is the elderly, who are starting to age, but are not at that point yet of needing help. "But to have somebody living with them when they were reaching that stage would be really beneficial." The report would provide a framework on how Anglicare, Southern Queensland, could set up a support service. They then hope to run those support services as a pilot in the next couple of years. Far from being a new concept, Dr McKinley said Australians have rented rooms before. "It's previously worked. If we go back to the 30s, 40s, 50s - last time there was a major housing issue, people did rent out spare rooms, families had a boarder," she said. Dr McKinley admitted that "any system is open to abuse" and the project was keen to see how the risks can be minimised. Housing for the Aged Action Group's (HAAG) new report has shown a clear link between housing and elder abuse. The report looks at older Australians suspected to be victims of abuse who were experiencing housing issues between 2020-2024 and who approached the group for help. The findings revealed elder abuse happened in close family relationships - but also in shared living arrangements. The report stated that "secure and stable housing" is a "critical pathway out of abuse". HAAG's Executive Officer, Fiona York, said the report's "deep dive" reveal many older Australians are living with people who are harming them - but in many cases they had no choice but to stay in the situation. "Rising costs and limited availability of affordable housing leaves many people trapped in cycles of abuse," Ms York said. "Integrating housing support within the broader context of elder abuse and family violence will also be critical to improving outcomes for older people facing abuse and mistreatment." Worryingly, the report also found "older Australians of any age" were at risk of abuse and were likely to be living with the people causing them harm. A lack of knowledge on what constitutes elder abuse among victims was uncovered adding another challenge for older Australians to face - recognising when they were in harms way. It follows comments from a Queensland University of Technology (QUT) economist proposed in April 2025 that homeowners should be incentivised to rent their spare room to a homeless person, as the housing issue is not due to ease until "2029". Dr Lyndall Bryant, from the QUT Centre for Justice and School of Economics and Finance said there were 13 million unused bedrooms in existing housing stock in Australia. "Millions of empty bedrooms exist and yet many older homeowners live in poverty rather than risk losing their pension or paying taxes by renting out a spare bedroom", she previously told The Senior. The University of Sunshine Coast and Anglicare survey can be found on this link. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Divorcees, widows 'slipping through the cracks' in housing market
With the median Australian house price of all capital cities combined now hitting a whopping $1,025,742, the dream of home ownership has become even more of a struggle - especially for mature, single women. And while the government normally focuses on the younger generation getting their foot on the property ladder, it overlooks the struggle that older Aussies face who want to buy a home, according to experts. Mortgage Expert, Debbie Hays told The Senior getting a mortgage is tough for older Australians, even when there's a large deposit and they work full-time. For many women, getting a divorce later in life can leave them with a deposit when household assets are divided - but it's rarely enough to buy a place on their own without a loan. Read more from The Senior: Widows can also find themselves with housing insecurity due to lack of funds. "Banks are required to ensure that you can service and repay your loan in full during its loan term," Ms Hays said. "Which often means assessing whether it can be paid off before you reach retirement age or that you have a tangible exit strategy in place for any remaining debt at your retirement age." The mortgage expert said lenders are "cautious" of borrowers in their 50s and 60s and their application will be "heavily assessed". "Unless you can prove you'll continue working into retirement or have a clear exit strategy, like downsizing or using super to pay off the loan," she said. Bricks and More Developer and Property Flipper Jo Yates told The Senior she has noticed in recent years how many more women have been "slippping through the cracks". "I know that there's quite a lot of women having to live in cars now, which is just shocking," she said. The developer said she wants to be part of the solution of helping women find affordable accommodation, but says council regulations and red tape are stopping creative ideas. "Councils need to come to the party as well," she said, noting more land needs to be released while in many cases zoning laws were outdated and also needed changing. The developer points to tiny homes being a possible cost-effective solution, but council rules in many parts of Australia make it nearly impossible for people to live in one long-term. "On the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, you can only have tiny homes on land if they're moveable," Ms Yates said. "And then it's only, I think, 180 days to stay on land. That's not feasible. If you've got to move it after 180 days, that's still no security." Ms Yates also sees rezoning costs as a problem in Queensland after coming up against a $180,000 bill to rezone a double block to be able to build three dwellings. "That one block of land could have accommodated three families," she said. Ms Yates is now focusing on micro apartments (small self-contained living spaces) within homes as a possible solution. "There's a movement towards rooms in houses and micro apartments," she said. "You'll take a family home and turn it into four micro apartments, and then they'll have communal areas." Another solution the developer is exploring is building affordable homes on a communal block of land. Women can buy in with their small deposits, which would be enough to own a small home or cabin - because they would not be buying the land. "I would like to create a little community on land that is strata titled," Ms Yates said. "They own the right to that property, and they can sell that on. "I just need councils and banks to join me and I can try and do something." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. With the median Australian house price of all capital cities combined now hitting a whopping $1,025,742, the dream of home ownership has become even more of a struggle - especially for mature, single women. And while the government normally focuses on the younger generation getting their foot on the property ladder, it overlooks the struggle that older Aussies face who want to buy a home, according to experts. Mortgage Expert, Debbie Hays told The Senior getting a mortgage is tough for older Australians, even when there's a large deposit and they work full-time. For many women, getting a divorce later in life can leave them with a deposit when household assets are divided - but it's rarely enough to buy a place on their own without a loan. Read more from The Senior: Widows can also find themselves with housing insecurity due to lack of funds. "Banks are required to ensure that you can service and repay your loan in full during its loan term," Ms Hays said. "Which often means assessing whether it can be paid off before you reach retirement age or that you have a tangible exit strategy in place for any remaining debt at your retirement age." The mortgage expert said lenders are "cautious" of borrowers in their 50s and 60s and their application will be "heavily assessed". "Unless you can prove you'll continue working into retirement or have a clear exit strategy, like downsizing or using super to pay off the loan," she said. Bricks and More Developer and Property Flipper Jo Yates told The Senior she has noticed in recent years how many more women have been "slippping through the cracks". "I know that there's quite a lot of women having to live in cars now, which is just shocking," she said. The developer said she wants to be part of the solution of helping women find affordable accommodation, but says council regulations and red tape are stopping creative ideas. "Councils need to come to the party as well," she said, noting more land needs to be released while in many cases zoning laws were outdated and also needed changing. The developer points to tiny homes being a possible cost-effective solution, but council rules in many parts of Australia make it nearly impossible for people to live in one long-term. "On the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, you can only have tiny homes on land if they're moveable," Ms Yates said. "And then it's only, I think, 180 days to stay on land. That's not feasible. If you've got to move it after 180 days, that's still no security." Ms Yates also sees rezoning costs as a problem in Queensland after coming up against a $180,000 bill to rezone a double block to be able to build three dwellings. "That one block of land could have accommodated three families," she said. Ms Yates is now focusing on micro apartments (small self-contained living spaces) within homes as a possible solution. "There's a movement towards rooms in houses and micro apartments," she said. "You'll take a family home and turn it into four micro apartments, and then they'll have communal areas." Another solution the developer is exploring is building affordable homes on a communal block of land. Women can buy in with their small deposits, which would be enough to own a small home or cabin - because they would not be buying the land. "I would like to create a little community on land that is strata titled," Ms Yates said. "They own the right to that property, and they can sell that on. "I just need councils and banks to join me and I can try and do something." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. With the median Australian house price of all capital cities combined now hitting a whopping $1,025,742, the dream of home ownership has become even more of a struggle - especially for mature, single women. And while the government normally focuses on the younger generation getting their foot on the property ladder, it overlooks the struggle that older Aussies face who want to buy a home, according to experts. Mortgage Expert, Debbie Hays told The Senior getting a mortgage is tough for older Australians, even when there's a large deposit and they work full-time. For many women, getting a divorce later in life can leave them with a deposit when household assets are divided - but it's rarely enough to buy a place on their own without a loan. Read more from The Senior: Widows can also find themselves with housing insecurity due to lack of funds. "Banks are required to ensure that you can service and repay your loan in full during its loan term," Ms Hays said. "Which often means assessing whether it can be paid off before you reach retirement age or that you have a tangible exit strategy in place for any remaining debt at your retirement age." The mortgage expert said lenders are "cautious" of borrowers in their 50s and 60s and their application will be "heavily assessed". "Unless you can prove you'll continue working into retirement or have a clear exit strategy, like downsizing or using super to pay off the loan," she said. Bricks and More Developer and Property Flipper Jo Yates told The Senior she has noticed in recent years how many more women have been "slippping through the cracks". "I know that there's quite a lot of women having to live in cars now, which is just shocking," she said. The developer said she wants to be part of the solution of helping women find affordable accommodation, but says council regulations and red tape are stopping creative ideas. "Councils need to come to the party as well," she said, noting more land needs to be released while in many cases zoning laws were outdated and also needed changing. The developer points to tiny homes being a possible cost-effective solution, but council rules in many parts of Australia make it nearly impossible for people to live in one long-term. "On the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, you can only have tiny homes on land if they're moveable," Ms Yates said. "And then it's only, I think, 180 days to stay on land. That's not feasible. If you've got to move it after 180 days, that's still no security." Ms Yates also sees rezoning costs as a problem in Queensland after coming up against a $180,000 bill to rezone a double block to be able to build three dwellings. "That one block of land could have accommodated three families," she said. Ms Yates is now focusing on micro apartments (small self-contained living spaces) within homes as a possible solution. "There's a movement towards rooms in houses and micro apartments," she said. "You'll take a family home and turn it into four micro apartments, and then they'll have communal areas." Another solution the developer is exploring is building affordable homes on a communal block of land. Women can buy in with their small deposits, which would be enough to own a small home or cabin - because they would not be buying the land. "I would like to create a little community on land that is strata titled," Ms Yates said. "They own the right to that property, and they can sell that on. "I just need councils and banks to join me and I can try and do something." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. With the median Australian house price of all capital cities combined now hitting a whopping $1,025,742, the dream of home ownership has become even more of a struggle - especially for mature, single women. And while the government normally focuses on the younger generation getting their foot on the property ladder, it overlooks the struggle that older Aussies face who want to buy a home, according to experts. Mortgage Expert, Debbie Hays told The Senior getting a mortgage is tough for older Australians, even when there's a large deposit and they work full-time. For many women, getting a divorce later in life can leave them with a deposit when household assets are divided - but it's rarely enough to buy a place on their own without a loan. Read more from The Senior: Widows can also find themselves with housing insecurity due to lack of funds. "Banks are required to ensure that you can service and repay your loan in full during its loan term," Ms Hays said. "Which often means assessing whether it can be paid off before you reach retirement age or that you have a tangible exit strategy in place for any remaining debt at your retirement age." The mortgage expert said lenders are "cautious" of borrowers in their 50s and 60s and their application will be "heavily assessed". "Unless you can prove you'll continue working into retirement or have a clear exit strategy, like downsizing or using super to pay off the loan," she said. Bricks and More Developer and Property Flipper Jo Yates told The Senior she has noticed in recent years how many more women have been "slippping through the cracks". "I know that there's quite a lot of women having to live in cars now, which is just shocking," she said. The developer said she wants to be part of the solution of helping women find affordable accommodation, but says council regulations and red tape are stopping creative ideas. "Councils need to come to the party as well," she said, noting more land needs to be released while in many cases zoning laws were outdated and also needed changing. The developer points to tiny homes being a possible cost-effective solution, but council rules in many parts of Australia make it nearly impossible for people to live in one long-term. "On the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland, you can only have tiny homes on land if they're moveable," Ms Yates said. "And then it's only, I think, 180 days to stay on land. That's not feasible. If you've got to move it after 180 days, that's still no security." Ms Yates also sees rezoning costs as a problem in Queensland after coming up against a $180,000 bill to rezone a double block to be able to build three dwellings. "That one block of land could have accommodated three families," she said. Ms Yates is now focusing on micro apartments (small self-contained living spaces) within homes as a possible solution. "There's a movement towards rooms in houses and micro apartments," she said. "You'll take a family home and turn it into four micro apartments, and then they'll have communal areas." Another solution the developer is exploring is building affordable homes on a communal block of land. Women can buy in with their small deposits, which would be enough to own a small home or cabin - because they would not be buying the land. "I would like to create a little community on land that is strata titled," Ms Yates said. "They own the right to that property, and they can sell that on. "I just need councils and banks to join me and I can try and do something." Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- The Advertiser
Phone charge cables, heaters pose huge risk for grey nomads
Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time." Simple everyday items can lead to catastrophe in a caravan, whether you're travelling around Australia in one or living in it full time. A standard home can take just minutes to burn to the ground - but travelling homes can go up in flames even faster, and there's only one door for escape. "Fires in caravans can be especially dangerous, particularly when people are sleeping, as fires often block the normal path of escape from the bed the door. Tragically, two people died in preventable caravan fires in Victoria last year," said Victoria's Assistant Chief Fire Officer, Community Safety, Darren McQuade. "We also know that people aged over 65 are more likely to die in house fires, so we urge senior Victorians to prioritise fire safety in their homes and caravans." There were more than 100 caravan and campervan fires in Queensland in 2024, and over the last five years there were more than 355 in NSW. In the first half of 2025 Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) have already responded to 42 caravan fires. Queensland Fire Department's Executive Manager Fire Safety, Superintendent Mark Halverson told The Senior people should always have an evacuation plan as seconds can literally save lives. Read more from The Senior: "People do need to consider if there's anything that would be a hindrance to their evacuation," he said. "Especially at night time, when they're in bed asleep. Leave your pathways clear. You also need to consider the mobility of each person." The Superintendent also wants Aussies to be able to unlock their door easily in the dark, even when there is smoke. Heating can pose an even bigger threat than in a house because of the lack of space. "If people are using any type of heater and it's in close proximity to anything that will burn - bedding, clothes, lounges, then the risk is there," he said. When a charger is lost or misplaced, it's not always feasible to just pop into the local electronics store if you've pulled up somewhere remote. Sharing a charger with your neighbouring caravan mate might seem logical, but Supt Halverson said it's one of the biggest fire hazards. "Just because a charger will physically connect into the charging port doesn't necessarily mean that it is the correct charger," he said. "Having the correct battery charger is absolutely paramount." Anything that can be charged usually has a lithium-ion battery, and the country has seen an increase in 'toys, tools and devices' that contain these batteries, as well as catastrophic fires from when they overheat. By using the wrong chord, a device can get too hot - increasing the risk of danger to you and your caravan. If there was some smoke from a device in your van or a small fire that was extinguished - still play it safe. "Lithium ion batteries are very prone to re-ignition, and that re-ignition can be minutes, hours or even days later," he said. "It might have only shown some early signs, like unusual noises like hissing or crackling, unusual smell, any sort of a smoke cloud or vapor or any sign of overheating." The superintendent said even if a device seems to have gone 'back to normal' it should still be taken outside and discarded or be serviced. If you've just ridden your e-scooter or just used your drone, chances are the battery will still be hot. To avoid a fire hazard, allow time for it to cool down before charging. For other devices Aussies also need to be mindful of the location of where a device is charged. "Certainly not where they can ever get water ingress, indirect sunlight or in a really hot area," Supt Halverson said. It is also recommended to never charge on surfaces that are easily heated, such as on beds or lounges. Just because a mobile home is small doesn't mean it won't need a smoke alarm - it is still important people are aware of a fire quickly and exit early. But each state and territory has different laws about mandatory smoke alarms in caravans. Since July 2024 in Queensland, all caravans and motor homes that are newly registered or transferred to another person are required to have one photoelectric smoke alarm - though from July 2027, this will be the case for all registered caravans and motor homes in the Sunshine State. In Victoria, all moveable dwellings - including caravans - must have working smoke alarms also. Supt Halverson said wherever people are sleeping - registered or unregistered - he would recommend a smoke alarm. "That is the very best means of giving occupants the early warning of a fire," he said. Caravans and many mobile homes rely on an external power supply coming in, so it is always be aware not to overload it with multiple devices. "Piggybacking power points is certainly very risky, and it is strongly advised against," Supt Halverson said. It is also advised for to ensure anything connected to power should be regularly checked for damage. Your gas cooker should also be in good working order - so make sure this doesn't get overlooked. A fire blanket is effective at extinguishing a stove fire in a caravan or mobile home, just as it is in a home or office. A dry powder extinguisher is also effective to put out different types of fires. But, the conundrum is where to keep it in such a small space, Supt Halverson said. "Every caravan has a different layout, of course, but you obviously wouldn't want to put your fire blanket in some sort of a cupboard or storage immediately above a cooking area," he said. "If there's a fire there, you might not be able to access it without getting burnt. It needs to be nearby, but not directly above." "If there is a fire in your caravan overnight, make sure ... all evacuate outside safely together," Supt Halverson said. Once outside, call triple zero and wait for the fire service. "Under no circumstances ever go back inside a burning caravan, no matter what it is you think you might need to retrieve," he said. "It might seem to be a comparatively small and manageable fire, but if it's in a lithium-ion battery-powered device, it does have the possibility that it could actually escalate into a much larger fire in a very, very quick period of time."
