Why talking to a 90-year-old should be part of every school's curriculum
Twice a week, for the past seven years, pupils from Glenwood Public School have walked over to the nearby nursing home to visit their 'grand buddies': elderly residents who have become stand-in grandparents for children at the school, which has many migrant families.
'We are aware that some of our [pupils'] families are refugees and don't have that wider family connection due to the fact their grandparents are living in a different country,' Glenwood Public School principal Jay McInney said.
'There's wonderful stories of students going and visiting their buddies at Christmas and bringing their whole family. It really is something that is authentic.'
He remembered two pupils who learnt their buddy had Parkinson's disease and could no longer play chess. The children researched the condition, then worked together to 3D-print chess pieces with handles designed for people with the degenerative disease that affects motor skills.
'Our children are connecting their time here at school with the real world, that there is purpose beyond the classroom ... They share other people's experiences, they understand things have changed.'
It's changed the culture of the school, says teacher Charmaine Harper, who helps run the program. The children are more empathetic and look forward to learning from the elderly.
'A classroom is so isolated from outside the gates,' she said. 'This gives them a real experience we often can't give them.'
Eight-year-old Tracian Ghirocian can barely contain a smile when he discusses his grand buddy, Christine Wright, whom he shares with mates Isaac Morrison and Jonathon Bateman.
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West Australian
09-08-2025
- West Australian
Nat Locke: why walking, drinking coffee, laughing with besties and being a nerd are all good for a long life
Some of my favourite sorts of news articles are those that are reporting on people who have celebrated an impressively huge birthday, because inevitably, they ask them one universal question: what is the secret to a long life? This week, that question was answered by a delightful 103-year-old lady who attributed her longevity to being proactive about her health and looking after others. This is a very wholesome response, and genuinely good advice for those of us who might want to live an equally long life. But don't we all prefer the people who answer that question with something like 'I drink a can of Swan Gold and eat a vanilla slice every day?' We're just always looking for the cheat code, aren't we? In case you're wondering how you can live a life long enough to be newsworthy, I've done some research for you (you're welcome). A quick google revealed that there's a bunch of strategies that can help you live longer. Some of them are pretty obvious, like not smoking and limiting your alcohol. Some would suggest there's not much point extending your life if you can't partake in a cheeky G&T from time to time, and then those same people point out that the Queen Mother made it to 101 and she famously loved a drink. Royal insiders described her intake as 'steady but not excessive' but she would have her first drink before lunch every day and it was gin and Dubonnet, which is a kind of fortified wine. She then had red wine with lunch and a martini at six, before champagne with dinner. Every day. And I repeat: she lived until she was A HUNDRED AND ONE. Exercise is also important, and a Griffith University study found that if you're over 40 and in the least active 25 per cent of the population, an hour spent walking can add six hours to your life. I didn't pay a lot of attention in maths class, but I think that means if you start walking for four hours a day, you can live forever. The university study didn't say that explicitly, by the way. I've drawn my own conclusions. Google also told me that drinking coffee or tea is beneficial to a long life, because it helps to lower the risk of several chronic diseases including Type 2 diabetes and Parkinson's. But you can't drink more than four cups of coffee. However — and hear me out — if you did, you'd have enough energy to walk four hours a day. Logically, the next strategy is to get a good night's sleep. Yes, after all that coffee. Hopefully all that walking has tired you out. Sleeping less than 5-7 hours, or more than 8-9 hours is linked to a shorter lifespan. It's also recommended that you go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day. It's safe to say I'm screwed. Breakfast radio hours and a natural propensity to stay up late are not doing me any favours in this department. And on the weekend, I definitely do not continue to get up at four in the morning. My sleep patterns are all over the shop. I guess I'm going to have to walk for six hours a day now. Being happy is also another key strategy. Studies have found that you can live 18 per cent longer if you are happy. I'm not sure how this works if you become happier by drinking eight glasses of rosé a day, but I think we've learned this isn't necessarily a logical process. Related to happiness, you also need to avoid stress and nurture your social circle. I guess that means we'll have to start a walking group together, because I don't think I've got any hours left in the day. But whenever you get together and have a good old belly laugh with your mates, you can totally understand why it's beneficial to both your physical and mental health. There is nothing quite so restorative as a good old session with your bestie. Also, you need to nurture those social circles if you're all going to live to 100, or else it's going to be a lonely old existence. And finally — and slightly weirdly — researchers found that more conscientious people live longer. A study followed 1500 boys and girls into old age and found that the ones who were observed to be more conscientious lived 11 per cent longer. Those little nerds. And I say that with love, because if you asked any of my primary school teachers, they probably would have said I was conscientious. Realistically, I was probably just bright and eager to please, because the conscientiousness has not followed me into my adult years. So there you have it. Just follow my simple steps (and by 'my' I mean 'Google's') and live a long, bountiful life. Or start getting sauced at 11am like the Queen Mother and live to 101. You choose.
The Advertiser
30-07-2025
- The Advertiser
Meet the Aussie teen hoping to be the youngest to fly around the world
In 2024, a 14-year-old Byron Waller flew around Australia. Now the young pilot has his sights set on conquering the world. The 15-year-old is aiming to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world. The trip begins on August 2 and will be in a four-seat, single-engine aircraft known as a Sling Tsi. Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, the Middle East and Europe are all on the bucket list. The jam-packed itinerary includes more than 30 countries across seven continents. The longest leg will be a 14-hour journey from California to Hawaii. For Byron, flying has always been a lifeline in a childhood filled with unexplained health challenges. "I missed school, sports, even birthday parties and Christmas because I was always in the hospital or too unwell to get out of bed," he told ACM. "Flying is not just something I love," he said. " It is the one thing that got me going when I was at my worst." Five years ago, Byron's family moved next to the Queensland Children's Hospital after realising they were waiting up to an hour for ambulances to reach their inner city home. He spent nine months in the hospital being treated, and then, a breakthrough with a Crohn's disease diagnosis - an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues, called inflammation, in the digestive tract. "It explained everything, but it also nearly grounded my biggest dream: to become a pilot," he said. "There were days I needed a wheelchair," he said. Bryon described his 2024 trip around Australia was transformational. "It taught me how to be both a pilot and a decision-maker, someone who doesn't just fly the aircraft but also takes full responsibility for every choice made in the cockpit," he said. "I navigated across deserts, coastlines, mountain ranges and remote outback strips." That journey raised money for Queensland's Children's Hospital, which has been pivotal in his recovery. It also connected him with other young people who have encountered health challenges. "I saw the power of aviation," he said. "Whether it was meeting someone at a remote airstrip who shared their own health battles, or getting a message from a young person with Crohn's disease who felt inspired by what I was doing, I started to see flying not just as a personal goal but as a platform to raise awareness, connect, and to show that young people with invisible illnesses and other challenges you can literally rise above them," he said. The two-month trip around the world will no doubt be more arduous. Depending on the weather, it could potentially be even longer. Byron will be under the supervision of the flying instructor the whole way through and will need to carefully manage Crohn's disease. "Each leg has been carefully planned," he said. "I've been working with pilot mentors, aircraft mechanics, flight planners, air traffic authorities and border officials across multiple continents, and the logistics alone are enormous." The journey will raise money for the Mission Aviation Fellowship. "Through this journey, I hope to meet others facing similar struggles in the countries I visit, hear their stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to keep going and keep showing up," he said. Byron's trip begins on August 2 from Brisbane, and you can follow his route and track progress here and donate to his GoFundMe to support him. As for his long-term goal? To be a commercial airline pilot. In 2024, a 14-year-old Byron Waller flew around Australia. Now the young pilot has his sights set on conquering the world. The 15-year-old is aiming to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world. The trip begins on August 2 and will be in a four-seat, single-engine aircraft known as a Sling Tsi. Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, the Middle East and Europe are all on the bucket list. The jam-packed itinerary includes more than 30 countries across seven continents. The longest leg will be a 14-hour journey from California to Hawaii. For Byron, flying has always been a lifeline in a childhood filled with unexplained health challenges. "I missed school, sports, even birthday parties and Christmas because I was always in the hospital or too unwell to get out of bed," he told ACM. "Flying is not just something I love," he said. " It is the one thing that got me going when I was at my worst." Five years ago, Byron's family moved next to the Queensland Children's Hospital after realising they were waiting up to an hour for ambulances to reach their inner city home. He spent nine months in the hospital being treated, and then, a breakthrough with a Crohn's disease diagnosis - an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues, called inflammation, in the digestive tract. "It explained everything, but it also nearly grounded my biggest dream: to become a pilot," he said. "There were days I needed a wheelchair," he said. Bryon described his 2024 trip around Australia was transformational. "It taught me how to be both a pilot and a decision-maker, someone who doesn't just fly the aircraft but also takes full responsibility for every choice made in the cockpit," he said. "I navigated across deserts, coastlines, mountain ranges and remote outback strips." That journey raised money for Queensland's Children's Hospital, which has been pivotal in his recovery. It also connected him with other young people who have encountered health challenges. "I saw the power of aviation," he said. "Whether it was meeting someone at a remote airstrip who shared their own health battles, or getting a message from a young person with Crohn's disease who felt inspired by what I was doing, I started to see flying not just as a personal goal but as a platform to raise awareness, connect, and to show that young people with invisible illnesses and other challenges you can literally rise above them," he said. The two-month trip around the world will no doubt be more arduous. Depending on the weather, it could potentially be even longer. Byron will be under the supervision of the flying instructor the whole way through and will need to carefully manage Crohn's disease. "Each leg has been carefully planned," he said. "I've been working with pilot mentors, aircraft mechanics, flight planners, air traffic authorities and border officials across multiple continents, and the logistics alone are enormous." The journey will raise money for the Mission Aviation Fellowship. "Through this journey, I hope to meet others facing similar struggles in the countries I visit, hear their stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to keep going and keep showing up," he said. Byron's trip begins on August 2 from Brisbane, and you can follow his route and track progress here and donate to his GoFundMe to support him. As for his long-term goal? To be a commercial airline pilot. In 2024, a 14-year-old Byron Waller flew around Australia. Now the young pilot has his sights set on conquering the world. The 15-year-old is aiming to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world. The trip begins on August 2 and will be in a four-seat, single-engine aircraft known as a Sling Tsi. Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, the Middle East and Europe are all on the bucket list. The jam-packed itinerary includes more than 30 countries across seven continents. The longest leg will be a 14-hour journey from California to Hawaii. For Byron, flying has always been a lifeline in a childhood filled with unexplained health challenges. "I missed school, sports, even birthday parties and Christmas because I was always in the hospital or too unwell to get out of bed," he told ACM. "Flying is not just something I love," he said. " It is the one thing that got me going when I was at my worst." Five years ago, Byron's family moved next to the Queensland Children's Hospital after realising they were waiting up to an hour for ambulances to reach their inner city home. He spent nine months in the hospital being treated, and then, a breakthrough with a Crohn's disease diagnosis - an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues, called inflammation, in the digestive tract. "It explained everything, but it also nearly grounded my biggest dream: to become a pilot," he said. "There were days I needed a wheelchair," he said. Bryon described his 2024 trip around Australia was transformational. "It taught me how to be both a pilot and a decision-maker, someone who doesn't just fly the aircraft but also takes full responsibility for every choice made in the cockpit," he said. "I navigated across deserts, coastlines, mountain ranges and remote outback strips." That journey raised money for Queensland's Children's Hospital, which has been pivotal in his recovery. It also connected him with other young people who have encountered health challenges. "I saw the power of aviation," he said. "Whether it was meeting someone at a remote airstrip who shared their own health battles, or getting a message from a young person with Crohn's disease who felt inspired by what I was doing, I started to see flying not just as a personal goal but as a platform to raise awareness, connect, and to show that young people with invisible illnesses and other challenges you can literally rise above them," he said. The two-month trip around the world will no doubt be more arduous. Depending on the weather, it could potentially be even longer. Byron will be under the supervision of the flying instructor the whole way through and will need to carefully manage Crohn's disease. "Each leg has been carefully planned," he said. "I've been working with pilot mentors, aircraft mechanics, flight planners, air traffic authorities and border officials across multiple continents, and the logistics alone are enormous." The journey will raise money for the Mission Aviation Fellowship. "Through this journey, I hope to meet others facing similar struggles in the countries I visit, hear their stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to keep going and keep showing up," he said. Byron's trip begins on August 2 from Brisbane, and you can follow his route and track progress here and donate to his GoFundMe to support him. As for his long-term goal? To be a commercial airline pilot. In 2024, a 14-year-old Byron Waller flew around Australia. Now the young pilot has his sights set on conquering the world. The 15-year-old is aiming to become the youngest person ever to fly around the world. The trip begins on August 2 and will be in a four-seat, single-engine aircraft known as a Sling Tsi. Singapore, Sri Lanka, India, the Middle East and Europe are all on the bucket list. The jam-packed itinerary includes more than 30 countries across seven continents. The longest leg will be a 14-hour journey from California to Hawaii. For Byron, flying has always been a lifeline in a childhood filled with unexplained health challenges. "I missed school, sports, even birthday parties and Christmas because I was always in the hospital or too unwell to get out of bed," he told ACM. "Flying is not just something I love," he said. " It is the one thing that got me going when I was at my worst." Five years ago, Byron's family moved next to the Queensland Children's Hospital after realising they were waiting up to an hour for ambulances to reach their inner city home. He spent nine months in the hospital being treated, and then, a breakthrough with a Crohn's disease diagnosis - an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling and irritation of the tissues, called inflammation, in the digestive tract. "It explained everything, but it also nearly grounded my biggest dream: to become a pilot," he said. "There were days I needed a wheelchair," he said. Bryon described his 2024 trip around Australia was transformational. "It taught me how to be both a pilot and a decision-maker, someone who doesn't just fly the aircraft but also takes full responsibility for every choice made in the cockpit," he said. "I navigated across deserts, coastlines, mountain ranges and remote outback strips." That journey raised money for Queensland's Children's Hospital, which has been pivotal in his recovery. It also connected him with other young people who have encountered health challenges. "I saw the power of aviation," he said. "Whether it was meeting someone at a remote airstrip who shared their own health battles, or getting a message from a young person with Crohn's disease who felt inspired by what I was doing, I started to see flying not just as a personal goal but as a platform to raise awareness, connect, and to show that young people with invisible illnesses and other challenges you can literally rise above them," he said. The two-month trip around the world will no doubt be more arduous. Depending on the weather, it could potentially be even longer. Byron will be under the supervision of the flying instructor the whole way through and will need to carefully manage Crohn's disease. "Each leg has been carefully planned," he said. "I've been working with pilot mentors, aircraft mechanics, flight planners, air traffic authorities and border officials across multiple continents, and the logistics alone are enormous." The journey will raise money for the Mission Aviation Fellowship. "Through this journey, I hope to meet others facing similar struggles in the countries I visit, hear their stories and shine a light on the resilience it takes to keep going and keep showing up," he said. Byron's trip begins on August 2 from Brisbane, and you can follow his route and track progress here and donate to his GoFundMe to support him. As for his long-term goal? To be a commercial airline pilot.
7NEWS
28-06-2025
- 7NEWS
From isolation to empowerment: Mark's journey to freedom through inclusive sports
When Mark Stephenson learned his mind and body were failing him, his life as a devoted father and active community member was forever changed. He received a diagnosis of Young Onset Lewy Body Dementia (YOLBD), following an earlier diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. His long career as a firefighter came to an abrupt end, and hobbies he once cherished, such as riding motorbikes, became suddenly out of reach. 'That's what the doctor told me — unfortunately, you won't be able to do your job anymore, and you can't drive home,' recalls Stephenson. 'In an instant, my life, which was once filled with activity and purpose, became very small.' When a person is diagnosed with both Young Onset Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson's disease, often symptoms are overlapping, complicating their management. Experts suggest this combination diagnoses may result in a quicker deterioration of cognitive and motor functions. Patients face a range of symptoms including physical stiffness, tremors, memory loss and hallucinations. Stephenson found himself in the grips of despair, feeling directionless and isolated. 'I made endless phone calls to charities and local organisations hoping to volunteer or find recreational activities, but I was turned away every time,' he explained. 'Each rejection felt harder to cope with than the initial diagnosis. 'It was disheartening, causing me to retreat further into myself.' Everything changed when he stumbled upon a social media post from Sporting Wheelies, an organisation focused on promoting inclusive sports for individuals with disabilities. Encouraged by his wife, he decided to give wheelchair basketball a try, despite his fears of being rejected again. 'The first time I sat in that sports wheelchair, I felt a rush of freedom — the kind I hadn't felt in years. 'I called it my 'motorbike feeling. 'It was a game changer,' he shares, his eyes lighting up with excitement. 'Upon arrival, I was welcomed by a diverse group of people, all unified by a shared love for sport. 'Once in the chair, no one noticed it; we were simply a group of individuals playing basketball together.' Stephenson's journey reveals a broader issue: while over 1 in 5 Australians live with a disability — approximately 5.5 million people — opportunities to engage in sports are still limited. According to Dane Cross, Chief Operating Officer of Sporting Wheelies, only 25 per cent of people with disabilities currently participate in sports, despite 75 per cent expressing a strong desire to get involved. 'The reality is there aren't enough accessible sports programs, particularly in regional areas,' Cross states. 'Many clubs lack the resources and knowledge to be truly inclusive, making it difficult for individuals to engage fully in sports activities.' Barriers extend beyond physical access; ingrained societal attitudes and stereotypes also play a role. 'Many people with disabilities aren't seen as athletes,' Cross points out. 'Changing community perceptions is crucial for fostering an inclusive sporting environment.' Organisations like Sport4All are also working towards dismantling these barriers, providing training and support to community sports clubs to ensure they can accommodate individuals with varying abilities. National Manager of Sport4All, Carl Partridge, emphasises understanding the spectrum of disabilities is essential for creating inclusive environments. 'Disability isn't always visible,' he said. 'Financial constraints and preconceived notions can unintentionally exclude many individuals from participating in sports.' Stephenson's involvement in sports has not just provided an opportunity for physical activity, it has also delivered a renewed sense of purpose and connection. 'Through sport, I discovered a supportive community,' he added, reflecting on his experiences with Sporting Wheelies. 'I found friends and purpose again, which has been invaluable for my mental health.' Today, he actively participates in wheelchair basketball, cricket, and AFL, reclaiming his joy, confidence, and meaningful connections. As the financial year ends, Sporting Wheelies urges Australians to donate before June 30. Every contribution is 100 per cent tax-deductible. 'Every gift helps! With the right support, we can bring inclusive sport to communities, but we can't do it alone,' said Cross. '$500 trains a Disability Sport Officer. $1000 helps bring a new sport to a remote town.'
