It’s official! As hetero blokes age, they place less emphasis on the attractiveness and physical build of their potential partners and more on their personality and other features. The new research also confirms while younger lads give top marks for looks, women tend to prioritise intelligence, trust and openness. Money and income doesn’t seem to get a look in. It also found women aged 40... read more>

John Tapper has lived in Sydney and Melbourne and worked here and overseas. He is currently in Castlemaine Victoria after a four-year spell in Vietnam volunteering to help young business leaders get ahead. One may describe his professional life as varied - variously a businessman, consultant, property developer and daredevil. What’s your story? I found the most taxing portion of getting o... read more>

As of the start of this week more than three million Australians have been given the jab. Have you booked a time yet? Your COVID comments continue unabated, with questions such as ‘Can I have a choice of vaccine?’ and some misunderstandings about the science. Using reliable sources I have sought to address your points in ways which do not contribute to confusion and fear but boost clarity... read more>

We older Australians suffer from a knotty contradiction. We tend to drink more alcohol than other age groups, yet the medical advice is to drink less. I’m not talking about problem drinking but the daily boozing, which can easily cross the recommended line of 10 standard drinks a week. To reduce their intake, a surprising number of us are turning to alcohol-free drinks. Is it a solution o... read more>

It should be no surprise that COVID vaccination remains the issue that dominates your comments, mainly in favour. But just as I had my first jab, another interesting question has arisen-- should the Fifty Up Club even consider such vexed questions? As my arm gently aches after AstraZeneca shot one, I make no excuse for writing about the benefits of the vaccine for over 50s and indeed ever... read more>