Welcome to the 30 September 2008 enewsletter
In recent weeks the media attention given to the entirely worthy cause of increasing the Age Pension has tended to make the process of ageing sound more like an unfortunate disease than the upside of longer living. We know most Australian men and women will live longer than their parents – and happen to think this is a positive outcome of better nutrition and medical advances, rather than a potential burden on society. Our view is that most older Australians have paid more than their fair share of taxes, and continue to contribute in a myriad of ways. So in this issue we celebrate the UPSIDE of ageing by highlighting some fabulous older role models, some great new government-assisted programs and some opportunities for getting out there.
The Meeting Place continues to be a hot spot for your opinions and ideas – this week we question the support given to volunteers – while some fantastic seniors discounts are featured in Travel Deals. Tomorrow is the International Day of Older Persons and celebrations are happening around the world, from New York to Bombay. AboutSeniors Webmaster, Drew, is travelling in San Francisco, but still took time to teach us how to create an email signature, Debbie reviews a great new biography of Sir Richard Attenborough, and a wonderful CWA recipe for Runny Honey Chicken is featured in Comfort Food. And for those who loved the totally irreplaceable Paul Newman as much as we did, Kaye’s blog offers a very personal tribute to this great man.

Vale Paul,
David & Kaye Fallick

Tell us
Tell us about a local community group in your area which promotes healthy ageing for your chance to win a double in-season pass for Brideshead Revisited

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

PBS input
Over 3,000 medicines are subsidised by the Australian Government through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and now you can comment on those being considered for inclusion.

Veterans' community support
More than 37,000 veterans will benefit from a grant allocation of $865,163, split between 83 community projects across Australia. The funding will help groups to improve veterans' health and independence.

Forced volunteering
A concerned AboutSeniors subscriber has highlighted an often overlooked area in which those aged 55+ can be forced onto the Newstart Allowance to supplement their partner’s single pension.

Sign your name
Last week our Webmaster Drew explained how to master Microsoft Outlook. This week he takes it further by reminding us how to create a signature, saving you time when sending emails.”

In love with Paul

Hire a grandma
Getting older needn’t mean giving up, with more time on your hands and life experience behind you, you’re more valuable than you may realise. One-year-old Madeleine is looking for a substitute grandma.

Mental Health Week
National Mental Health Week (NMHW) will be celebrated from 5-11 October 2008 and will focus on the importance of good mental health.

Finger lickin’ chicken
From the Country Women’s Association (CWA) Country Classics, CWA NSW’s Runny Honey Glazed Chicken will have your taste buds twitching.

Travel questions answered
Stephanie, our AboutSeniors travel guru answers subscribers' travel questions. Whether you want to mingle with the locals, or learn some travel photography, find out what Stephanie has to say.

Senior cruise specials
Cruising from Australia to the beautiful Pacific is a great introduction to a holiday on the ocean, once you try cruising, you’ll never look back.

Early bird savings
Book your summer stay at participating Accor hotels throughout Australia, New Zealand and Fiji and enjoy early bird savings.

A tale of two halves
Sir Richard Attenborough has come up with a new way of telling his life story, you tell your version of a story and get a good friend to tell their version. Helps to keep it interesting and honest.

Newman’s best
With the passing of Paul Newman, the AboutSeniors office reminisced about some of the fabulous movies in which he starred. We’ve listed three of our favourites and hopefully ones you’ve also enjoyed.

If I had to live my life again, I'd make the same mistakes, only sooner.
- Tallullah Bankhead
Read more quotes here.