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Back on course: overcoming low back pain for senior golfers

As a retiree and avid golfer, I experienced the debilitating pain of a herniated disc in my lower back. I never thought golf could cause such agony, but I was determined to overcome it and return to the game I love. Low back pain is a common condition among senior-aged golfers, with reported prevalence rates of up to 50%. Which means if you're playing in a foursome with fellow seniors it's likely two of you have low back pain. Why? Because we are more prone to back pain due to age-related changes in the spine, such as disc degeneration, and arthritis. Additionally, poor swing mechanics, lack of flexibility, or poor physical conditioning increase the risk. The golf swing involves a complex sequence of movements that can sometimes place significant stress on the lower back, particularly the lumbar spine. The repetitive twisting, bending, and rotational forces can lead to various types of back injuries, including herniated discs, muscle strains, and degenerative disc disease. After being diagnosed with a herniated disc six weeks ago, my doctor recommended physical therapy treatments with a chiropractor and physiotherapist. I also found relief through regular massage and daily use of a TENS machine. Stretching and strengthening exercises can improve flexibility and core stability. I found simple Qi Gong exercises easy. Qi Gong has been described as like high-powered Tai Chi. The standing exercises appealed to me as I'm stubbornly averse to any exercise requiring laying on the floor. Within weeks of therapy and home exercises, the pain had subsided enough for me to consider a gentle swing in the backyard. A few easy swings with the 7-iron and all felt good. No added discomfort. To prepare for a game, I enrolled in an online course called 'Pain Free Golf' by Croker Golf System. The course helped me adjust my swing to avoid re-injury. To further protect my lower back, I purchased two helpful devices. A ball pick-up device which attaches to the handle end of the putter ($10 approx. from the local pro shop) to enable retrieving my ball from the cup without bending forward. A second device I found was the 'easy tee-up' ($130 approx. - search “Easy Tee Up” online) which helps me tee up the ball without bending down to the ground. Now, six weeks after my herniated disc incident, I'm playing almost painless golf again, and my game has even improved. I never would have thought that a herniated disc would ultimately improve my golf game, but the experience taught me the importance of taking better care of my body and using the right resources to get back in the swing. To all fellow golfers, take care of yourselves and don't give up hope if you ever find yourself in the same situation. There are plenty of people and resources available to help you get back to playing the game you love - with no or low back pain. About the writer: Mike Searles is a Melbourne retiree who loves playing golf. Image: Shutterstock

Body

How to pick the right course for you

The benefits of keeping your mind busy are endless but deciding to undertake study requires some commitment. Follow these steps to ensure you are picking the right course for you. Pick something you love A good way to narrow this down is by making a list of things you like doing, subjects you enjoy reading about and your hobbies. Next, jot down the courses you think you’re interested in and that align with your list of interests. If you find any crossover, look more into those courses. Do some research Always make sure you look into something before you commit yourself. The best resources are the internet and the people around you. More often than not you will find information on the institution’s website. For instance, the Open Training Institute has in-depth information about what is required from you for each course, what the courses will cover as well as video clips about each course. Speak to people Speak to your friends and family who have studied and find out what they have and haven’t liked about the courses and places they have studied. You will gain the best insight from someone who has studied a course himself/herself. Trust your instincts When you start looking into subject options, you should trust your feelings when picking a course or place to study. If there’s something you’re not comfortable with ask about it, if you’re not satisfied with the answer then perhaps it’s not the right course for you. Review course content Ensure you have a close look at the subjects or modules you will cover in a course you want to study. If you know the types of things required of you before you enrol and you’re comfortable with what’s ahead, it’s a great sign. Consider course durations Courses vary in time commitments and duration, and some courses even offer you the flexibility to choose. For instance you can do all the courses through Open Training Institute self-paced, meaning you can take as little as a month or more slowly over two years to complete. To be sure you’ll be committed to your studies, work out if your current priorities are manageable if you were to enrol in a certain course. <a href="../education/education/2014/08/why-you-need-to-keep-your-mind-active.aspx" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Related link: Discover the many benefits of keeping your mind busy now! </a> Image credit: Shutterstock

Mind

“Truly grotesque”: Ivana Trump’s golf course burial may help Trump get tax breaks

Ivana Trump, who <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/ivana-trump-s-cause-of-death-revealed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">passed away</a> aged 73 in her New York home in mid-July, has been buried on the grounds of her ex-husband Donald Trump’s golf club - and the choice of burial plot may grant the former US president some long-sought tax breaks. Ivana is the first person known to have been buried at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, a state where land taxes are notoriously high. But, cemetery land is exempt from all taxes, rates and assessments, with the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/31/donald-ivana-trump-cemetery-golf-course-taxes" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Guardian</a> reporting that Ivana’s grave would therefore have “advantageous tax implications”. According to <a href="https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/465718872" target="_blank" rel="noopener">documents</a> published by ProPublica, the Trump family trust has previously sought to classify a nearby property in Hackettstown, New Jersey, as a cemetery company. Brooke Harrington, a professor of sociology at Dartmouth College, tweeted that she investigated claims that the placement of Ivana’s grave would benefit Trump. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> As a tax researcher, I was skeptical of rumors Trump buried his ex-wife in that sad little plot of dirt on his Bedminster, NJ golf course just for tax breaks. So I checked the NJ tax code & folks...it's a trifecta of tax avoidance. Property, income & sales tax, all eliminated. <a href="https://t.co/VDZBlDyuhQ">pic.twitter.com/VDZBlDyuhQ</a> — Brooke Harrington (@EBHarrington) <a href="https://twitter.com/EBHarrington/status/1553533320469905409?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 31, 2022</a></blockquote> “As a tax researcher, I was skeptical of rumors Trump buried his ex-wife in that sad little plot of dirt on his Bedminster, NJ golf course just for tax breaks,” she tweeted. “So I checked the NJ tax code & folks...it's a trifecta of tax avoidance. Property, income & sales tax, all eliminated.” In 2012, <a href="https://www.npr.org/2012/02/03/146342330/fairway-to-heaven-trump-eyes-a-golf-course-burial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US radio station NPR reported</a> that Trump planned to build a mausoleum on the property, with the proposal later expanding to potentially containing 1000 possible graves. The plan, which attracted local objections, was later dropped and replaced with a design for a 10-plot private family cemetery” in the same spot before changing again into a proposal for a commercial 284-plot cemetery. Images of Ivana’s final resting place have begun circling online, with many calling out her family for its plain appearance in comparison to memorials to everything from Richard Nixon’s dog to Internet Explorer. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Internet Explorer got a nicer burial than Ivana Trump. <a href="https://t.co/tm5T1hX1bH">pic.twitter.com/tm5T1hX1bH</a> — Thomas (@tarnished_usa) <a href="https://twitter.com/tarnished_usa/status/1553121815517601794?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 29, 2022</a></blockquote> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Top: Richard Nixon’s dog ‘Checkers’ grave. Donald Trump’s first wife Ivana’s on his golf course. <a href="https://t.co/Rh9q96B8H0">pic.twitter.com/Rh9q96B8H0</a> — Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@NotHoodlum) <a href="https://twitter.com/NotHoodlum/status/1553490177120681985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 30, 2022</a></blockquote> “Not sure which is more shocking - - that Trump had Ivana buried on his golf course for a tax write-off or that her three kids thought this was okay,” investigative journalist Victoria Brownworth <a href="https://twitter.com/VABVOX/status/1554049715184062465" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tweeted</a>. “You don’t have to be an Ivana fan to find this truly grotesque.” “You should be ashamed of yourself. This is a public display of your complete disgrace towards your own mother,” another person <a href="https://twitter.com/keraz37/status/1553538090609827842">tweeted</a>, along with a photo of Ivana’s plot surrounded by patchy grass and a golf court in the background. Image: Twitter

Money & Banking

WIRES to launch new Koala rescue course

A new koala rescue course has been launched nationwide by WIRES for registered wildlife carers. The course, which launches this month, is part of a WIRES plan to increase rescue and rehabilitation capacity and improve emergency rescue response for koalas. It will explore the best practice for rescuing and transporting injured, sick or orphaned koalas and will be delivered online. In February 2022 koalas in Queensland, NSW and the ACT were officially classified as an endangered species and WIRES chief operating officer Kyla Shelley said the sheer number of koala rescues in NSW painted a clear picture of the increased need to build volunteer capacity and capability. "We have seen almost a doubling of koala rescues in the last two years," she said. "These are usually complex situations and require specific skills to assist this unique species." The WIRES koala rescue course will cover: <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Work health and safety risks involved in rescuing and transporting koalas </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Koala biology, behaviour, distribution, and threats </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Appropriate capture, handling, and transport methods </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Rescue scenarios and how to approach koalas </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Koala observational assessment and reporting processes post-rescue </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> Common injuries and diseases. </li> </ul> The course is based on the standards and guidelines outlined in the NSW environment department code of practice for injured, sick and orphaned koalas and the official guidelines for initial treatment and care of rescued koalas. Image: Getty

Family & Pets

Cruise ship abandons course to avoid arrest warrant

After an arrest warrant was issued for a cruise ship vessel, the ship has diverted its destination path from Miami to the island nation of the Bahamas. According to <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/cruise-ship-diverts-bahamas-miami-unpaid-fuel-bills">Fox News</a>, the arrest warrant was in response to over $1 million in unpaid fuel bills. “The U.S. marshal will be there with the arrest warrant if the ship shows up in Miami,” J. Stephen Simms, the lead lawyer representing Peninsula Petroleum Far East Pte. Ltd, told Bloomberg. “My good money is that it’s not landing in Miami, from what we’ve been told. Our client is determined to recover.” The luxury cruise ship known as Crystal Symphony was due to arrive in Miami on Saturday after a two-week voyage in the Caribbean. However, they diverted their course at the last minute with about 300 passengers and 400 crew members on board. The ship is operated by Genting Hong Kong Ltd., which has reportedly been struggling financially since the beginning of the pandemic. A British musician who was performing on the ship said passengers were scrambling to reschedule their flights after diverting to the Bahamas, but “there’s no panic”. “Every one of these people are trying to reschedule their flights,” musician Elio Pace told the Daily Mail. “There's no panic, there's no tantrums going on, they're taking it in their stride.” Crystal Cruises president Jack Anderson announced in a statement that all Crystal Cruise operations would be suspended until at least April, due to their billion dollar losses felt through the duration of the Covid pandemic. Elio Pace said the passengers on board the Crystal Symphony were shocked at the announcement, but he has carried on performing for the travellers. “That was quite extraordinary, to be in a position to have to perform to people, with them knowing the cruise line has gone into liquidation,” he said. “For me it’s a headache, but for the crew, for the staff, the brilliant staff of this gorgeous luxury liner, I feel more sorry for them,” Mr Pace said. “I'm put out, but they've lost their jobs for the foreseeable future.” Image credits: Getty Images

Cruising

Jana Pittman collapses after breaking SAS record

During a gruelling obstacle course on SAS Australia, Jana Pittman has collapsed after pushing her body to the limit. The Olympic champion became the first woman to complete the Ladder Troop Extraction challenge, with just three seconds left on the clock and breaking a record on the show. Instructor Ant Middleton helped Jana into the helicopter before showing a rare moment of softness as he gave her a congratulatory hug. However, just as she was riding her adrenaline high, she came crashing back down. Jana and the other recruits were sent to their second challenge where they had to complete a demanding obstacle course. The 38-year-old, who gave birth six months before appearing on the show, only just managed to get through the course. “When I was an athlete… your whole body is screaming at you to stop and you have to ignore it… I used to have that ability,” she said. <div class="hide-print ad-no-notice css-qyun7f-StyledAdUnitWrapper ezkyf1c0"> However, after finishing her second lap and on the brink of quitting the show, Jana collapsed in front of the instructors and her fellow recruits. “I’m so cooked, I’m done,” she said just moments before falling to her knees. “I was just seeing really bad spots… I was just super busy and seeing spots in my eyes,” she told the doctor. Jana has become a fan favourite on the show, appearing to remain calm under pressure and known for her kind demeanour. The two-time world champion hurdler recently announced she is <a rel="noopener" href="https://oversixty.com.au/lifestyle/family-pets/twins-jana-pittman-reveals-she-is-pregnant" target="_blank">pregnant with twins</a>, saying she fell pregnant shortly after SAS Australia wrapped filming. Image credits: SAS Australia </div>

"Of course I'm not ok": David Campbell in tears on set

David Campbell was left in tears after he watched a viral video during Today Extra, on Friday. The TV host revealed they’d be giving viewers some “Friday feels,” but his co-host couldn’t have been prepared for Campbell’s emotional response. US toddler Benjamin Olson has not been able to make too many friends during the pandemic, but thankfully his beautiful 99-year-old neighbour Mary was the perfect fit for the tiny tot. As video of the pair playing rolled, it proved too much for David, who was sporting pajamas for National Pyjama Day. Today is National Pyjama Day where thousands of Aussies are wearing their PJ's to work or school in support of children in foster care. 💙 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/ovypiJinNP">pic.twitter.com/ovypiJinNP</a> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1418355931088310272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 22, 2021</a> "Don't," he said. When cameras panned back to David, he was wiping his eyes. "That was just so nice and I wasn't ready for it," he said. His co-host Belinda Russell asked if he was OK. "No," he responded. <img style="width: 500px; height:281.25px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7842637/9news-david-campbell.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/d510356ff5b14b8d8179d95593bbcd7c" /> Image: Supplied "It's week four of lockdown. Of course I'm not ok. I'm crying at a video, it's 9:17." You can watch the adorable clip on their <a rel="noopener" href="https://9now.nine.com.au/today/viral-video-leaves-david-campell-in-tears/724e037d-fb03-4b11-8921-e86478b8cadd?ocid=social-today" target="_blank">site.</a>

Caring

The Ocean Decade: how the next ten years can chart a new course for the blue planet

When birdsong was filling the muted days of the first lockdown, marine scientists were noticing something similar in the world’s oceans. Container vessels, cruise ships and drilling platforms had fallen silent, and so the oceans grew quieter than at any other time in recent memory. Researchers are trying to understand how the lull affected ocean life, but there are already stories of whales seizing the chance to sing and dolphins venturing into coastal areas they’d avoided for decades. The year of the quiet ocean is over, and noise pollution is roaring back to pre-pandemic levels, drowning out the sounds that marine species depend on to communicate and make sense of their surroundings. Sadly, that’s just one problem among many. The UN has declared that the next ten years will be <a href="https://www.oceandecade.org/">the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development</a>, recognising the enormous challenges facing our blue planet. The Conversation has been keeping an eye on some of these as part of our <a href="https://theconversation.com/uk/topics/oceans-21-96784">Oceans 21 series</a>. Already, we’ve heard from experts about how chemical pollution in the ocean <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-ocean-pollution-is-a-clear-danger-to-human-health-152641">threatens human health</a>, how the ocean economy is dominated by <a href="https://theconversation.com/blue-economy-how-a-handful-of-companies-reap-most-of-the-benefits-in-multi-billion-ocean-industries-153165">a handful of mega-rich corporations</a> and why global warming is <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-ocean-is-becoming-more-stable-heres-why-that-might-not-be-a-good-thing-157911">making the ocean more stable</a> – with surprisingly worrying results. But we’ve also heard informed reasons for hope. From the geographer studying <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-hopeful-return-of-polar-whales-151487">the recovery of polar whale populations</a> and the team of physicists learning how to track the journey of <a href="https://theconversation.com/where-does-plastic-pollution-go-when-it-enters-the-ocean-155182">each plastic particle</a> when it reaches the shoreline, to the anthropologist documenting the role that <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-scottish-gaelic-is-helping-protect-scotlands-seas-155660">Scottish Gaelic plays in conservation</a> in Outer Hebridean fisheries.

Cruising

Prince Charles admits he has watched the Australian bushfires take its course in “appalling horror”

Prince Charles has released an emotional video message for Australians as the country battles bushfires all over the nation - revealing that he has been watching “the appalling horror… in despair”. The royal has long made an effort to warn about the effects of climate change, and in this statement said the scope of the loss was “not to be believed possible”. He went on to say that both he and the Duchess of Cornwall had kept the “remarkable, courageous, determined firefighters who have done much and worked ceaselessly to exhaustion” in their thoughts. In a heartfelt tribute recorded at Birkhall, the Prince’s home in Scotland, he praised the resilience of the Australian people and expressed confidence that “despite the horror” they would “find a way to face it all and win through.” Intense blazes have ruined and destroyed 8.4 million hectares – an area larger than Scotland - of Australian bushland. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m8FnorbkJS4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The drought and record high temperatures that have contributed to ravage Australia, and have been since the start of its summer have led to the deaths of as many as half a billion wild native animals. To address Australia directing, the Prince said: “I fear this is a hopelessly inadequate way of trying to get a message to all of you that both my wife and myself are thinking of you so very much at such an incredibly difficult time and in such impossible and terrifying circumstances. “Both of us have been in despair the last several weeks watching this appalling horror unfolding in Australia and witnessing so much of what you are having to go through from this distance. “Those of you who have tragically lost your properties, your houses, everything.. to me it is, and to both of us, not to be believed possible. And I know how many houses have been lost.” He added: “Above all, we wanted to say how much we have been thinking of all those remarkable, courageous, determined firefighters who have done much and worked ceaselessly to exhaustion. “We feel so deeply for the families of those who have been lost and lost their lives in the course of carrying out their remarkable duties as only they can do. “We also think of all the Australian wildlife that is destroyed in these appalling infernos, let alone everything else. “We both know how incredibly special and resilient the Australian people are. So I know at the end of the day, despite all this horror, you will find a way to face it all and win through. “All I can say is we are thinking of you and praying from you in the most determined way. I’m very proud to know you all.” Prince Charles is launching a new aim sometime throughout January to find solutions to the carbon emissions issue the world is facing. The Sustainable Markets Council will bring together leading international figures from the private, public and philanthropic sectors to identify ways of “decarbonise the global economy” and make the transition to sustainable markets. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall last visited Australia in April of 2018, where they travelled throughout the Northern Territory and Queensland. Scroll through the gallery to see the royal couple’s travels through Australia in 2018. OverSixty, its parent company and its owners are donating a total of $200,000 to the Vinnie’s Bushfire Appeal. We have also pledged an additional $100,000 of product to help all those affected by the bushfire crisis. We would love you to support too! Head to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw" target="_blank">Vinnie's website</a> to donate!

Domestic Travel

How to take Yale's personal happiness online course for free

As the new year unfolds, you may find yourself with a list of things you want to achieve within the next 12 months. If any of these goals includes looking after your wellbeing or working on more productive habits, then you are in luck – Yale University can help you get there at no charge. In 2018, Professor Laurie Santos unveiled a psychology course titled “Psychology and the Good Life” at the university. It became the most popular class in Yale University’s <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/coursera-yale-science-of-wellbeing-free-course-review-overview/?r=AU&IR=T">317-year history</a>, with a quarter of the student body enrolling in the course. When a free online version of the course – “The Science of Well-Being” – launched on learning platform Coursera last year, a whopping 255,000 people signed up. Many went on to praise the class as “<a href="https://www.inc.com/betsy-mikel/this-guy-took-yales-most-popular-class-ever-for-free-learning-1-key-habit-made-him-happier.html">life-changing</a>”. Now the course is back for the new year. In <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being?action=enroll">the ten-week class</a>, Santos is set to share “misconceptions about happiness, annoying features of the mind that lead us to think the way we do, and the research that can help us change”. The whole course – which includes video lectures, readings and quizzes – is estimated to take 20 hours to complete. The first class kicked off this week, but you can still catch up and do the tasks on your own pace. Students can sign up and observe the class for free, but an optional completion certificate will cost AU$71.

Mind

Golf club owner Kerri-Anne Kennerley is suing over husband's fall is a long-time "friend"

On the evening of March 6, 2016, Australian TV personality Kerri-Anne Kennerley’s life changed forever after her husband John fell from a verandah at the Bonville International Golf Resort which caused him to fracture his C3 and C4 vertebrae. He was paralysed from the neck down following the incident and sadly passed away three years later in March 2019 at the age of 73. Now, news has emerged that the golf course is being sued for negligence due to the accident, but the place is owned by a friend of Kerri-Anne’s as well as being a former Australian Olympian. Peter Montgomery, 69, represented Australia in four Olympic campaigns from 1972 to 1984 before serving as chairman of the Australian Olympic Committee Athletes’ Commission and vice-president of the AOC from 2001 to 2016, according to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/olympian-peter-montgomery-owns-golf-course-kerrianne-kennerley-is-suing-over-husbands-fall/news-story/f828ef5503ab6baeaf7fb55fe7e5b2ce" target="_blank">The Daily Telegraph.</a> The real estate portfolio owned by Montgomery includes the Bonville International Golf Resort, which is now being sued for unspecified damages, interests and costs filed by John Kennerley five months before his death. Montgomery’s company Ironhill Services has denied that the fall was its fault and that the accident occurred due to John not looking where he was walking. "The defendant says if the plaintiff suffered injury, loss and damage as alleged, such injury, loss and damage was caused or contributed to by the plaintiff's own negligence," read the court document in an NSW Supreme Court filing. Ironhill claim that John “failed to look where he was walking, stepping into a garden bed (and) failing to take care not to step onto an object, prize, on the floor”. However, John’s lawyers are arguing that a “reasonable person” from the golf resort’s perspective would have implemented measures to ensure patrons cannot get hurt at the golf course residence. Kerri-Anne spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://celebrity.nine.com.au/latest/golf-course-kerri-anne-kennerley-husband-died-being-sued-friend-former-olympian/9bb4599b-b4c2-460c-b4c9-ecc21bcdf0d5" target="_blank">News Corp</a> earlier this week about the incident. "John and I survived for three years but other people could not and that does actually make me angry,” she said. "Whatever the circumstances are, for an accident for any insurance company to drag something out for almost three-and-a-half years is despicable." The incident is said to have strained things between the former friends, but John Eales, an ambassador of Bonville Golf Resort, has said that Montgomery is “a man of the highest integrity”.

Legal

See inside the “Aldi restaurant” where 3-course meals cost $12

If you could get a three-course meal for €8 ($12), would you ever cook at home again? That’s the question on diners’ lips after Aldi opened a new restaurant offering dishes made from its own produce for about the same price as a takeaway pizza. The budget dining experience, opened by the supermarket giant in Munich, Germany, changes its bistro menu each week, offering shoppers the opportunity to try before they buy. “In the middle of the city centre in Munich, we not only create a central meeting place for everyone, but also give our customers the opportunity to try out delicious recipes and take them home,” Aldi spokeswoman Sandra Sibylle Schoofs told <a href="http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/aldi-opens-restaurant-serving-three-11395070" target="_blank">The Mirror</a>. And it seems the old adage, “if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is” doesn’t apply here. In her review, blogger testthebest1807 described the food as “really tasty and the waiters were also very friendly.” <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 50.0% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BaZA3bYg5av/" target="_blank">A post shared by Produkttest (@testthebest1807)</a> on Oct 18, 2017 at 6:21am PDT </div> </blockquote> She listed chicken breast on zucchini gnocchi, Alaskan salmon fillet with mustard sauce on cucumber salad and tortellini with rocket foam and walnuts among the main course options. As you can see in the gallery above, the German supermarket giant has also created a stunning dining area made from a repurposed shipping container, located in a courtyard of Munich’s historic Old Academy building. No word yet on if the bistro is set to make its way down under, but we’ve got all our fingers and toes crossed! Tell us in the comments below, would you be interested in dining at an Aldi restaurant? Image credit: CEN/ALDI SUD.

Money & Banking

89-year-old becomes tech-savvy master to connect with family across the globe

Technology seems to be moving at such a breakneck pace these days, keeping up with it all can sometimes feel like a fruitless exercise. But, if today’s story is anything to go by, with a little bit of gumption it’s never too late to learn (and master) a new skill. Neville Hewitt, an 89-year-old former engineering pattern maker in Glenroy, is currently top of the class in a digital literacy and online social skills course. Hewitt signed up to the course at his local Neighbourhood Learning Centre two years ago to reboot his computer skills, and he hasn’t missed a single beat. Hewitt initially signed up to help him communicate with family around the world, telling <a href="http://www.heraldsun.com.au/" target="_blank">Herald Sun</a>, “Communication is the thing I was interested in... that was my first thought.” He now uses Skype to talk to his brother in New Zealand and is regularly in contact with his cousin in Wales and his nephew in England that he reaches through email. “It’s good to be able to reach them regularly and easily,” Mr Hewitt said. Hewitt has also combined his newfound computer skills with his natural talent for craftsmanship, building an American-style steel guitar from a design he researched online. “I’m in a senior citizens’ choir and they told me to stop bringing my other ones and just bring the steel one in because they liked it so much,” he said. Glenroy Neighbourhood Learning Centre teacher Shruti Malavde said seniors were increasingly reaping the benefits of computer literacy, “The best thing they find is finding their own friends (on social media) and talking to them. It brings back a lot of memories, which they really enjoy.” Have you taken a course to increase your computer literacy? Would you be in anyway interested in doing so? Let us know in the comments. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/07/photo-of-ghost-in-car-crash/">Ghost appears at site of car crash</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/grandparents-share-secrets-to-a-happy-marriage/">Grandparents share their adorable 5 secrets to a happy marriage</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/07/watch-this-toddler-flawlessly-mimic-a-rocky-training-montage/">Toddler perfectly mimics Rocky training montage</a>

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Giant alligator strolls onto Florida golf course

Generally when most people hit the greens, the last thing they expect to see is a 4.6 metre long reptile wandering on to the fairway. For one group of golfers, however, that’s exactly what happened when they visited the Buffalo Creek Golf Course in Florida recently. “I didn’t know if we were being punked or something,” golfer Charles Helm told <a href="http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/region-sarasota-manatee/goliath-gator-spotted-at-palmetto-golf-course" target="_blank">ABC Action News</a> after a giant alligator wandered onto the course on his way to a nearby lake. According to a worker at the course’s shop, Wendy Schofield, this isn’t the first time the massive reptile has made an appearance. “He doesn't bother anybody and they don't bother him, he's like a mascot for the course,” she told <a href="http://news3lv.com/news/local/giant-alligator-roams-golf-course-in-florida" target="_blank">News 3</a>. Take a look at the golfers’ stunned reaction in the video above. I think I’d run for it! What’s the most unexpected animal visitor you’ve ever had? Tell us about it in the comments below. Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/05/alligator-climbs-front-door-of-familys-home/">Alligator climbs front door of family’s home</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/04/alligator-devours-smaller-gator/">Massive alligator devours smaller gator</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/04/fisherman-finds-alligator-at-end-of-his-line/">Fisherman finds gigantic surprise at the end of his line</a>

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Maggie Beer to take popular aged care food course Australia wide

Maggie Beer is taking her hugely popular ‘Creating An Appetite For Life’ program Australia wide. The two day course is a hands-on experience designed to show aged care cooks and chefs how to create nutritious, full-flavoured low cost meals everyday in their kitchens. A range of experts will join Maggie School, brainstorming ideas around nutritious ingredients, food budgeting, supplier relationships, aged care specific recipes, menus and dining room management. One of the initial program’s participants, Toni Chubb says, “What a fantastic couple of days. I don't know about anyone else, but my mind is running a million miles an hour, trying to get my head around all the wonderful ideas that each and every one of us brought to the table.” “A huge thank you to Maggie and her dedicated and passionate team for giving us the opportunity to experience this journey, and for reigniting the passion in us to know that we can make a difference." Only 30 participants have the chance to attend, making it a unique opportunity. Image credit: Twitter / Maggie Beer Related links: <a href="/news/news/2016/01/grandma-finds-out-granddaughter-having-triplets/">Watch this Grandma find out her granddaughter is having triplets</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/man-old-blanket-worth-a-fortune/">Man finds out old blanket is worth a fortune</a> <a href="/news/news/2016/01/baby-elephant-best-friend-dog/">Baby elephant rejected from its herd finds unlikely new best friend in a dog</a>

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Four of Australia's best golf courses

With over 1500 courses in Australia, spots to tee off in our country are celebrated for their world-class design, spectacular surrounds and proximity to major cities or regional highlights. This means the greens on our golden soils are ranked amongst the best in the world. Here are four of the best in Australia, which also make it onto the list of the top 35 in the world.1. Royal Melbourne G.C. (West)Designed by renowned Scottish architecht Dr Alister in MacKenzie is 1926, the Royal Melbourne in Victoria is ranked the number 9 golf course in the world. Having played host to the Australian Open, the World Cup, Bicentennial Classic and The Presidents Cup, it’s rolling terrain and dramatic undulation a thought to be a “gift from the golfing gods”.2. Barnbougle DunesLocated on the pristine Bass Strait, this collaboration between American superstar designer, Tom Doak, and Australia pro-turned-architect, Michael Clayton was finished in 2004. With wide fairways and lively greens on the rolling dunes, this 18-hole course in Tasmania, which is still in its youth, is ranked 11 in the world. Many who have played here recall the seventh with affections – it is nicknames “Tom’s Little Devil”.3. Kingston Heath G.C.Designed by Australia pro Des Soutar in 1925, Kingston Heath in Melbourne is often considered an Alister MacKenzie design. But MacKenzie only made a brief visit in 1926 and made a few suggestions regarding the bunkering. Ranked 20 in the world, is famed for not only its superb conditioning all year around but also its bunkers that are long, sinewy, shaggy, gnarly, windswept and strategically placed.4. New South Wales Golf ClubPositioned on the rugged cliffs at La Perouse in Sydney where it overlooks Botany Bay where Captain James Cook first sailed into Australia, this is considered a sacred site by golfers that was built by nature and shaped by the greatest hand of all – Dr Alister MacKenzie. The combination of undulating fairways, beautiful vistas and a spectacular clubhouse has seen in ranked 33 in thw world.

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How to pick the right course for you

The benefits of keeping your mind busy are endless but deciding to undertake study requires some commitment. Follow these steps to ensure you are picking the right course for you.Pick something you loveA good way to narrow this down is by making a list of things you like doing, subjects you enjoy reading about and your hobbies. Next, jot down the courses you think you’re interested in and that align with your list of interests. If you find any crossover, look more into those courses.Do some researchAlways make sure you look into something before you commit yourself. The best resources are the internet and the people around you. More often than not you will find information on the institution’s website. For instance, the Open Training Institute has in-depth information about what is required from you for each course, what the courses will cover as well as video clips about each course.Speak to peopleSpeak to your friends and family who have studied and find out what they have and haven’t liked about the courses and places they have studied. You will gain the best insight from someone who has studied a course himself/herself.Trust your instinctsWhen you start looking into subject options, you should trust your feelings when picking a course or place to study. If there’s something you’re not comfortable with ask about it, if you’re not satisfied with the answer then perhaps it’s not the right course for you.Review course contentEnsure you have a close look at the subjects or modules you will cover in a course you want to study. If you know the types of things required of you before you enrol and you’re comfortable with what’s ahead, it’s a great sign.Consider course durationsCourses vary in time commitments and duration, and some courses even offer you the flexibility to choose. For instance you can do all the courses through Open Training Institute self-paced, meaning you can take as little as a month or more slowly over two years to complete. To be sure you’ll be committed to your studies, work out if your current priorities are manageable if you were to enrol in a certain course.<a href="/education/education/2014/08/why-you-need-to-keep-your-mind-active.aspx" target="_blank">Related link: Discover the many benefits of keeping your mind busy now! </a>

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89-year-old becomes tech-savvy master to connect with family across the globe

Giant alligator strolls onto Florida golf course

Maggie Beer to take popular aged care food course Australia wide

Four of Australia's best golf courses

How to pick the right course for you

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