Photo credit: Guinness World Records   At the weekend, the oldest man in the world, verified by the Guinness Book of Records, celebrated his 113th birthday with a daily drop of an aniseed spirit.   Juan Vicente Pérez doesn't hail from longevity's officially recognised 'blue zones' such as the Japanese island of Okinawa, the Greek island of Icaria or even Italy's Sardinia.   He comes from ... read more>

The policy to snag ‘empty nesters’ votes at the election (remember that?), with super concessions to encourage home downsizing, appears to have fallen on deaf ears. But it got me thinking about the emotions wrapped up in that birdy expression and just how relevant or realistic it is to parents whose clutch have flown the coop. There’s a so-called ‘empty nester syndrome’ which revolves aro... read more>

The widespread voter rejection of the big two parties and embrace of independents and some minor parties suggest a devilish possibility. If you were to start your own new Party or movement to capture the spirit of the times, what would it look like, and why do you think it would succeed? The question is somewhat tongue-in-cheek. You may not have a wealthy benefactor to bankroll your dream... read more>

It’s hardly safe to question Australia’s compulsory voting system as it’s so largely considered the norm despite only 21 other nations, mainly in Latin America, insisting you turn up to vote. But what has changed is the large number choosing to forgo the dubiously titled “democracy sausage” by pre-polling in record numbers. Almost one-third of a million voters cast their ballot as soon as... read more>

I have never welcomed the term ‘empty nester’, although now we are all being wooed by a Coalition promise at the 11th hour of the election campaign. The carrot of superannuation breaks is being waved to encourage more of us to downsize our homes and make more room for younger families. The election promise is to lower the age by ten years to allow you to tip the benefits from selling a bi... read more>