If you’re a permanent resident aged over 65, live in Queensland for at least 6 months of the year and work less than 35 hours a week, you may be eligible for a Qld Seniors Card. Or, if you tick all of the above and also hold a Commonwealth Pensioner Concession, Health Care or Seniors Health Card or DVA card, you could be eligible at the age of 60.Whichever the case, a Qld Seniors Card comes with a myriad of benefits. From travel concessions and utility rebates to vehicle registration savings and thousands of shopping discounts, your QLD Seniors Card enables you to do a lot more, for a lot less!A low-cost way to venture out and explore Did you know that Seniors Card holders are eligible for a 50% concession fare on public transport across Queensland? Or, if you own a car, motorcycle or boat, your Seniors Card allows you to apply for a registration concession. (Note: this concession does not...

Are you searching for a new hobby that involves focus, keeps you learning and gives you a real sense of achievement? Why not try birdwatching! A great way to take a step back and re-connect with nature, birdwatching helps you be present and brings you a wonderful sense of calm and quiet. Getting back to nature In today’s busy society, it’s often hard to find time to spend outdoors. Soaking in the sunshine, sitting quietly under the shade of a tree or simply strolling through beautiful bushland – it’s something we need to do more. And it’s these moments we spend in nature that are truly grounding, helping us to de-stress, feel good and embrace this beautiful world we live in. A full sensory experience Birdwatching is about much more than sitting quietly and observing in nature. It requires you to pay attention to what’s happening around you. You need to have sharp vision and be attuned to every sound. You also need to...

Isn’t it wonderful to welcome back Spring! The days are getting longer and warmer, we’re getting out more to soak up the sunshine and there’s a new menu of seasonal fresh produce to enjoy. So, what are the best veggies to plant now, and when will they be ready to eat? You’ll find all you need to know – what to plant, growing conditions and care instructions – right here, in our Spring Veg Planting Guide.Why grow your own spring veg?It’s extremely satisfying to plant, grow and harvest your own vegetables. Eating seasonally, from your own garden, has many benefits. The veg you produce at home is fresher, tastier and far more nutrient dense. It is 100% organic and cheaper than buying from the supermarket.So what seasonal veg should you planting right nowOur favourite produce for spring veg plantingFor quick harvest:Leafy greens (lettuce, rocket, silver beet, Asian greens, watercress) Beans (bush and climbing) Radish Beetroot Carrots Chillies Cucumbers Cherry tomatoes ...

With the September school holidays on our doorstep, what better way to spend time with your grandkids then by showing them the sights of our wonderful city and surrounding rural areas! Here are our top 6 school holiday activities in Brisbane and beyond. Go forth and conquer!Let your imagination run wild at Bricks 4 KidzA great activity for all budding Lego masters, Bricks 4 Kidz offer school holiday programs and workshops for kids to build their own Lego showpiece. With themes including space, superheroes and amusement parks, Bricks 4 Kidz offers a wonderful learning environment, where initiative is invited and self-expression is celebrated.  The perfect place to inspire creativity and have loads of fun, programs are held across the greater Brisbane area, in Logan, Redlands, Southport, Springfield, Sunnybank and the Sunshine Coast. Learn more: Bricks 4 Kidz.Take a Clock Tower Tour at Museum of Brisbane (MoB)From designing a jewellery collection, to learning how to draw and becoming a detective for the day, MoB...

Gaining an understanding of digital technology and the online world can feel extremely daunting. But taking the first step to develop your online skills and join the new wave of tech savvy seniors will bring you a myriad of benefits. Seriously, you’ll never look back!   Keep in touch with family and friends at the touch of button Learning to use computers and digital tech is an invaluable skill that will help you stay connected with family and friends. You’ll be able to send and receive messages and pictures in an instant – all you need to do is send a text, post to social media or write an email. Perfect for when you live away from loved ones, these online skills enable you to still very much be a part of their lives. Simply chores and streamline your purchases Getting online is also a convenient and fast way to tick off many of the tasks on your to-do list. These include:Banking Shopping for...

With the weather beginning to warm up, now is a great time to get into your Resort pool and make a splash. Whether you like to swim laps, enjoy water aerobics, want to try some water resistance exercise or simply want to cool off, the health benefits of swimming for seniors are endless! Here are our top 6 swimming perks. It’s great for your heart healthDid you know that swimming improves circulation, boosts endurance and lowers blood pressure? With over 80 per cent of seniors affected by heart disease, swimming helps you gain direct control over your cardiovascular health.In fact, according to the Swim Strong Foundation, swimming for 30 minutes a day can reduce coronary heart disease in women by 30 to 40 percent. This type of exercise also raises ‘good’ cholesterol HDL levels. Additionally, men can reduce their risk of diabetes by an average of 6 per cent for every 500 calories burnt in aerobic exercise per week. Winning! Swimming...

  With school holidays just around the corner, now is the time to start planning all the fun things to do with grandchildren. To get you started, here are our top 7activities that will take you on the most exciting adventures with your favourite little ones. 1. QUT THE CUBE: A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY One of the world’s largest digital interactive learning and display centres, The Cube soars across two storeys in QUT and features 48 multi-touch screens. An incredible experience for the next generation, The Cube promotes learning through exploration and discovery. Learn more: thecube.qut.edu.au 2. ENGAGE, LEARN AND PLAY AT KARAWATHA FOREST DISCOVERY CENTRE Connect your grandkids with nature, as you enjoy a walk through the park, exploring the area’s diverse wildlife and landscapes. The centre features an interactive floor projection of a frog habitat, a sculptural forest discovery area, a night-time theatre room and a virtual reality experience giving you a bird’s eye view of Karawatha Forest. Learn more: karawatha.com 3. VISIT THE CUTE-AS-CAN-BE FURRY...

It’s time to move into the next exciting phase of life... retirement! You’ve set the wheels in motion to embrace your new carefree lifestyle, but first there’s just one question – how to downsize your home? While downsizing can seem stressful, it doesn’t have to be. Here are 5 easy steps to help you transition from a large home into your right size home. 1. ALLOW YOURSELF PLENTY OF TIME Unfortunately downsizing isn’t a ‘get it done on the weekend’ thing. It takes time and planning. You need to allow space to not only pack and clear out, but to also reminisce, reflect and process. So , how to downsize your home simply and effectively?First, we recommend you begin decluttering –but just do one room at a time. Start with your bathroom, which generally has the least emotional ties. Second, create a system to keep you organized and keep the overwhelm at bay. Create four categories: Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash.Third, stick with it. It’s...

Whether you’re an avid reader or haven’t picked up a book in years, joining a book club brings with it a myriad of benefits for retirees. From forming new social connections to inspiring lively discussions and living a longer happier life, here’s 5 reasons why you should join a book club. 1. JOINING A BOOK CLUB COULD EXTEND YOUR LIFE EXPECTANCY How is this so, you might ask! Let us enlighten you. According to a report published by University of Queensland School of Psychology researchers Dr Niklas Steffens and Dr Tegan Cruwys, joining a social club just might help you live longer.Dr Steffens and Dr Cruwys conducted a study that tracked the health of 424 people in the UK – from four years before they retired to six years after – to find whether belonging to social groups reduced mortality.It was found that for retirees who belonged to two social groups before retirement, their chance of death was two per cent if...

So you’ve retired. What now? How do you fill in the hours that you used to spend at work? Luckily for you, we have 5 fantastic ideas for retirement hobbies. Read on and choose your own adventure. 1. Learn to play an instrument Always wanted to learn how to tinkle the ivories, strum out your favourite song on guitar or bang out some beats on the drums? Well, you’re in luck because now you have the time and space to discover your new musical talent! Not only is it a lot of fun, but learning a new instrument helps improve hand agility and keep you mentally sharp. Plus, you’ll be able to entertain your friends (hopefully)! 2. Plant and grow a garden Being amongst nature, getting your hands in the dirt and watching your garden bloom is one of the best retirement hobbies for Over 50s. Now you have more time, why not dedicate it to your garden? Not only does it give you...

Bringing delight and joy to our everyday lives, the health benefits of owning a dog are boundless (or should we say, houndless)! Yes, our fur-babies show us unconditional love and loyalty. They understand when we need a cuddle. They motivate us to get out and take them for a walk and they are always there for us - especially when there’s a treat involved.And all of this… is great for our mental well-being, physical health and social engagement. DOGS MAKE US HAPPIER… FUR-REAL Did you know that owning a dog can help to reduce loneliness, anxiety, stress and depression? Providing you with a sense of purpose, your four-legged friend not only keeps you company but they add structure to your day.Having a consistent routine in place Knowing that you to feed and exercise your dog helps keep you motivated, balanced and calm. It’s also great for your self-esteem. THEY REALLY ARE MAN’S BEST FRIEND Another one of the many health benefits of owning a...