Meryl Karlson
Five myths about the transition to retirement

In the transition to retirement (55+?) people often worry about the future. Meryl’s talk identifies the myths that cause unnecessary worry and provides strategies to create a dynamic next phase of life.

RETROACTIVE: the ageing evolution’s presentations are well researched, relevant and aligned to the WHO’s Age Friendly Community Strategies.

Meryl has 35 years in education and training and has post graduate studies in social ecology. She is well qualified and passionate about the subject of the art and science of positive ageing. She addresses the need for a radical new way that baby boomers can revision retirement in order to sustain wellbeing and grow into leadership roles within their communities.

Rob Hines has provided us with the latest update on Nonh's operations over the past few weeks. 

In summary, Nonh needed a second operation to address the return of the swelling in his face and now has a shunt to drain the fluid from his brain to his stomach. Following this operation Rob saw Nonh smile for the first time.

Nonh is recovering well and will fly back to Luang Prabang on Australia Day where is may need further care.

Please click read more for full report form Rob Hines.

“The Challenge for Directors of Government Boards”

John Peberdy, Chair of the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority

John has had extensive experience in the insurance industry and has acted on several boards.  In this capacity he has had much involvement with politics and politicians – state and federal.

Because of his insurance experience and the previous practice of including a fire levy on insurance premiums, he was appointed to the board of the Country Fire Authority (CFA).  His tenure bridged the issues of Black Saturday and the resultant Royal Commission, the Fiskville training centre health issues. There were up to 400 items for the CFA board to address!

The law changed to remove the fire levy from insurance premiums and John left the board as he felt no longer relevant but then was re-appointed as Deputy Chair.  When the State Government changed from Liberal to Labour, the United Firefighters Union (UFU) moved to progress their Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA).  However the CFA Act, requires the CFA Board to not act to the disadvantage of CFA members and the EBA clearly did just that.  Hence resignations of Minister Garrett (who would not sign off on the EBA), CEOs and sacking of Board members by replacement ministers (with less scruples that the original ones).

The essential problem in the EBA is the handing of the power of veto to the UFU over the CFA.

John said dealing with government boards is difficult but he found it very rewarding.   Frustration, bureaucracy and lack of security drive some good people away.  In some cases the remuneration is quite inadequate.