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NSW Residents Believe Their Neighbourhoods Are Safer: ABS

In 2008, more than half (55%) of people in NSW did not think there were crime or public nuisance problems in their neighbourhood according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. This figure has risen from 47% to 55% between 1999 and 2008.

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NSW Seniors Are Living Longer And Are Better Off

NSW seniors are living longer and are better off. The average life expectancy of people living in New South Wales has increased by nearly ten years from 1974 to 2006 according to a new report released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care.

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More Than A Third Of Brits (35 per cent) Are Likely to Consider Moving Abroad When They Retire

- Rising costs in Britain are also a factor for Brits considering moving abroad, as the new breed of retirees, dubbed 'emi-greys', worry that their pensions simply won't go far enough at home. Almost half of us (47 per cent) believe the UK is too expensive to live the life that we want to lead, and a worrying 28 per cent of people do not feel they can afford to stay in the UK when they retire.

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The greyer, the better for rural towns Older residents seen as asset to smaller communities

A new study determined older Americans who retire to rural areas quickly become involved and are a tremendous asset to addressing both immediate and longer-term needs, such as public transportation and health care for older in-migrants.

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WWII Pilot Defends Evans Head

WWII pilot defends Evans

By Jamie Brown

Northern Star 


Ballina retiree Ted Sly has rediscovered the joy of flight, 67 years after he last stepped out of a cockpit.


His trusty steed all those years ago was nothing less than a World War II Spitfire with the RAAF.


At the time the veteran of four campaigns never wanted to see inside an airplane again. But the passing of years has softened those strong feelings.


Now, at the age of 90, he is on the cusp of regaining his pilot's licence - only the complicated theory test stands in his way.


"When I learnt to fly we took so many risks," he recalls. "We lost at least one during each training course I was on. Today the system of air safety is so different."


Now that the former farmer from Gunnedah is able to experience the joys of piloting his own aircraft he can see the real need for a proper recreational aviation centre right here on the Northern Rivers.


"This district has more recreational aircraft than almost any other in Australia," he says.


"But most of our airstrips are single runways, with no cross-strip to handle crosswinds.


"Many times I've had to fly over Ballina and go to Brisbane because of strong south-easterly winds on the ground."


Mr Sly says the logical choice of airfield for such a venture is Evans Head, with its four runways still usable for the majority of recreational aircraft.


But he says pressure from other pursuits - a proposed retirement home and potential for more housing - could disrupt what should be a valuable aviation asset in years to come.


"If the retirement village goes ahead the oldies will complain of noise, and then the authorities will close the aerodrome and carve it up for housing," he predicts.


"By making everyone happy we will run the real risk of seeing a terrific aviation opportunity go missing."