Welcome to the 23 September 2008 enewsletter
This week we attended the Federal Government’s Pension Review public consultation meeting in Melbourne – and sadly there were no surprises with the submissions – everyone is finding it harder and harder to survive on the current pension – whether singles or couples – and immediate relief is being demanded. We also report on the Coalition’s bill in the Senate to raise the single age pension, and Kaye has blogged on hot topics raised at the recent International Federation on Ageing conference in Montreal.

Our theme this week is history and we have reviewed three new books which will delight the history buffs. In particular, a new omnibus of tales of derring do by our hero, Biggles, is a hot favourite. Debbie has reviewed a new DVD release of the Other Boleyn Girl based on a “faction” novel by Philippa Gregory – and author Hazel Edward’s explains how faction works for those interested in weaving a tale based on fact! We are delighted for Jan who found long lost friends by posting a notice on our Meeting Place, highlight recent Q&A on seniors cards and Carelink, and share a recipe for our, national “dish” of damper. We also thank young Euan McTaggart for sharing a great new website for scrabble fans. Don’t forget to keep your brain active with our “Word a Day” – today’s word is “food mile” and the first ten subscribers who email us an accurate definition will receive, with our compliments, the latest issue of YOURLifeChoices magazine featuring the stunning Jennifer Byrne on the cover.

Here’s to history, yours and ours
David & Kaye Fallick

Your last chance to win
It is your last chance to enter our Sydney New Year's Eve Escape competition for the chance to win a Sydney Harbour Marriott hotel package worth $2000

Retirement Living Survey
Complete our Retirement Living Survey and enter the draw for the chance to win some fantastic prizes, including accommodation at a Mercure hotel, a Crazy John’s mobile phone and DVD’s.

Send to a friend
Send to a friend for the chance to win a copy of Ballykissangel, Series 5 on DVD

Have your pension say
For the last four weeks, the Government have been hosting Pension Reviews throughout the country to find out what Australian pensioners need to sustain a basic standard of living.

Pension bill support
The coalition’s private members’ bill to increase the level of some pensions passed the Senate this week but the Government still opposes it.

Family health tree
Tracing your family tree and where you came from is fun and educational but it can also save the life of a loved one.

Romp and reap
“Go for your Life” with this year’s Melbourne city romp and not only will you be benefiting the Burnet Institute but you could also win a $5,000 travel voucher.

No place to hide
Recently an AboutSeniors’ member wrote in telling us about when applying for a local council parking permit he was asked, “Why do you need a parking permit, when you have a parking spot in your backyard?”

Fabulous Scrabulous
A downside of one of the world’s most popular word games is finding someone to play against. Euan, an AboutSeniors’ family member, shares with us his favourite game site.

Lost contacts
Getting in touch with someone that your have lost contact with over the years is a very special thing and Jan, an AboutSeniors subscriber is delighted to have found her long lost friend.

Footy finals fever
Love it or loath it, understand it or not, it’s footy finals time and with the AFL celebrating 150 years of the game, this Grand Final Week promises to be bigger than ever.

Off with her head!
Henry VIII was a formidable figure in English history, as notorious for the number of wives he had as the battles he fought.

International Federation on Ageing

Drew’s delicious damper
Damper is one of Australia’s great staple foods, eaten for many years in the bush. Drew shares with us his delicious damper recipe that can be enjoyed anywhere.

Not just for the young
Railplus are running a fantastic, easy-to-enter competition that could have you and three friends jetting off to Europe.

Historic Australia
Australia is changing fast, with many places unrecognisable as the small mining or coastal towns from which they started life.

New Zealand spring deals
Head off to New Zealand and enjoy springtime savings.

Share and win
Cruise the Murray River this summer on the Murray Princess and your travel partner travels for half price.

The original action hero
Those were the days. When Mum turned out the light you were meant to go straight to sleep. But with the aid of a torch under the covers, you read long and late into the night. And what was the irresistible reading matter? The latest Biggles adventure, of course.

History boys and girls
It seemed like a good idea at the time is probably the defence of many of the decision-makers featured in a new book entitled History’s Worst Decisions. Beginning with Adam and Eve’s decision to eat the apple, this captivating compendium covers major boo boos including the Trojan War, Custer’s Last Stand, the sinking of the “unsinkable’ Titanic to the Y2K disaster.

Riveting rivalry
Competition can be healthy – but when it is pushed too far the results are often detrimental for all concerned.

One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say.
- Will Durant
Read more quotes here.