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Readers response: Are there any celebrity biographies or memoirs you’ve read and loved?

<p>We asked our reader if there are there any celebrity biographies or memoirs they have read and loved, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Sarah Hayse-Gregson</strong> - I have read so many, I just loved them all. The one that gave me a fit of the giggles was David Niven’s Bring on the Empty Horses.</p> <p><strong>Marie Jones</strong> - Jimmy Barnes, what a life.</p> <p><strong>Lorraine Henshaw</strong> - Sidney Poitier. I loved him!</p> <p><strong>Michelle Carr </strong>- John Farnham, Jelena Dokic, Tina Turner.</p> <p><strong>Margaret Hosking</strong> - Poirot and Me by David Suchet, and Margot Fonteyn: A Life by Meredith Daneman. Both excellent!!</p> <p><strong>Janet Courtney</strong> - Sister Vivian Bullwinkle who survived being shot by the Japanese on Banka Island during WWII and being taken as a POW.</p> <p><strong>Lindy Joso Kolega</strong> - Ahn Do, The Happiest Refugee.</p> <p><strong>Val Goodwin</strong> - David Niven, The Moon's A Balloon.</p> <p><strong>Lorraine Masters</strong> - Clark Gable, Kamahl, JOK, Sarah Henderson, Debbie Reynolds.....just name a few. I love biographies.</p> <p><strong>Christine Conforth</strong> - Keith Richard’s was interesting.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Books

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Readers response: What does ‘self-care’ look like for you now compared to earlier years?

<p>We asked our readers what self-care looks like for them during their retirement years. Here's what you said. </p> <p><strong>Anne Henderson</strong> - More time and focus on my strength and fitness, and all of those things that will help with independence in old age. More saying no to society’s expectations … (including whether my 70 year old face and my clothing are acceptable to others)…. my routine has become simpler for this reason, not more complicated. Self care in older age to me is liberation from the shackles of all of the above.</p> <p><strong>Marie Jones</strong> - Definitely focusing on strength and balance hence exercise class and walking. Happy with my grey hair but always moisturising and have toned down make-up. I wear what's comfortable for me.</p> <p><strong>Dawn Dominick</strong> - Endless moisturising of my entire body not just my face any more.</p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - Love having long baths to relax in. Going to the podiatrist every month. Moisturising twice daily. Not wearing makeup unless it’s a special occasion. Wearing comfortable clothes. Considering stopping the every 5 week hair colouring. </p> <div dir="auto" style="font-family: system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, '.SFNSText-Regular', sans-serif; caret-color: #080809; color: #080809; font-size: 15px;"><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></div>

Beauty & Style

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Readers response: What’s something unexpected that’s brought you happiness or peace in this phase of life?

<p>We asked our readers what unexpected thing has brought then happiness or peace in this phase of life, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Mary Michelon</strong> - Meeting the man meant for me. Last thing on my mind also.</p> <p><strong>Jo Bolland</strong> - Finding living on my own to be such a joy.</p> <p><strong>Mandy OConnor</strong> - The bird life where I moved to has been a game changer for me.</p> <p><strong>Joanna Tyler</strong> - Moving to a regional area to chill for the rest on our lives.</p> <p><strong>Kris Peterson</strong> - My Greenhouse, my happy place. </p> <p><strong>Mary Paffas</strong> - Moving to a small beachside community. </p> <p><strong>Dale Hunter</strong> - Wine!</p> <p><strong>Ralph G Smith</strong> - My grandchildren. </p> <p><strong>Julia Flavel</strong> - Meeting my partner when it was the last thing on my mind.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Mind

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Readers response: Who is your favourite Australian artist, writer, or musician?

<p>We asked our readers who their favourite Australian artist, writer, or musicians are, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said about their favourite homegrown talents. </p> <p><strong>Greg Curtin</strong> - Judith Durham. Her voice had an amazing quality.</p> <p><strong>Julie Richardson</strong> - Australia has a number of top artists, my personal favourite is John Farnham.</p> <p><strong>Gail Ladds</strong> - Russell Morris. Absolutely brilliant voice.</p> <p><strong>Denise Houlihan</strong> - Such a tough one, so many great musicians, one under the radar was Mark Gillespie, he always made good music. Top of the voices would have to be John Farnham, but so many!</p> <p><strong>Neil Watt</strong> - So many brilliant artists in this country. Joe Camilleri is a particular fave.</p> <p><strong>Faye Inskip</strong> - My favourite writer is Fiona Macintosh...her books are well researched and well written.</p> <p><strong>Catherine Borthwick</strong> - Any member of Powderfinger for sure! They were all brilliant.</p> <p><strong>Vicki Coulta</strong> - John Farnham, Shirley from Skyhooks, Jimmy Barnes, Russell Morris, Michael Hutchence from INXS, Bon Scott from AC/DC and so many more!</p> <p><strong>Dianne Strachan</strong> - John Williamson.</p> <p><strong>Sue Pentecost</strong> - Delta Goodrem! Great singer. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Music

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Readers response: What’s the earliest lesson you remember learning from your parents?

<p>We asked our readers what the earliest lesson they remember learning from their parents is, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Susan Taber</strong> - Didn't realise we were learning at the time .. but manners, respect, kindness, doing chores, doing what we were told.</p> <p><strong>Diane Lovell</strong> - Always be polite and kind.</p> <p><strong>Hentie Jacobs</strong> - Saying please and thank you, cleaning up after yourself, and always lend a helping without asking.</p> <p><strong>Lynette Miller</strong> - There is always someone worse off than yourself.</p> <p><strong>Judith Forbes</strong> - To be respectful of your elders.</p> <p><strong>Tina Shaw</strong> - Integrity, know and be your integrity and you will always sleep peacefully.</p> <p><strong>Kerry Houston</strong> - Manners and kindness.</p> <p><strong>Sylvia Ure</strong> - To stop at the footpath before crossing the road.</p> <p><strong>Margaret Gleeson-Walden</strong> - Not to answer back.</p> <p><strong>Rosalie Jones</strong> - To love my siblings.</p> <p><strong>Heather Gem</strong> -  Manners. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Family & Pets

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Readers response: What’s a physical or mental challenge you didn’t expect to face in retirement?

<p>We asked our readers what physical or mental challenge they didn’t expect to face in retirement, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Christine Stewart</strong> - I looked forward to retirement, only to have my husband diagnosed with dementia. It's a tough gig caring for him.</p> <p><strong>Toni Pratley</strong> - How busy social life can be and managing to balance it is a challenge.</p> <p><strong>Lynette Miller</strong> - The passing of my husband of 50 years has been totally devastating for me. </p> <p><strong>Sue Meers</strong> - Living in a retirement village. </p> <p><strong>Nola Schmidt</strong> - Two strokes and spinal stenosis. </p> <p><strong>Debra Hutchen</strong> - Becoming a grandparent carer and a marriage breakdown. </p> <p><strong>Mary Lintott</strong> - Arthritis. </p> <p><strong>Marilyn Larsen</strong> - Not being financial enough to even retire.</p> <p><strong>Kim Nissen</strong> - Being alone. </p> <p><strong>Wendy Fisher</strong> - Having trouble with balance &amp; walking.</p> <p><strong>Kath Wilkinson</strong> - Loneliness. </p> <p><strong>Elaine Ralph</strong> - The lack of money.</p> <p><strong>Craig Donney</strong> - Boredom!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Retirement Life

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Readers response: Who's your favourite vocalist of all time?

<p>We asked our readers who their favourite vocalist of all time is, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Regina Johnson</strong> - Barbra Streisand. </p> <p><strong>Vicki Bell</strong> - Roy Orbison, hands down.</p> <p><strong>Anne Denise Houghton</strong> - I think it’s a tie between Roy Orbison and Freddie Mercury.</p> <p><strong>Christine Phillips</strong> - Elvis Presley. That was voice straight out of heaven.</p> <p><strong>Barbara Moretti</strong> - Luciano Pavarotti and Barbra Streisand.</p> <p><strong>Marilyn Sheldrick</strong> - Tom Jones.</p> <p><strong>Sue McKinnon</strong> - Eric Clapton, plus his guitar ability!</p> <p><strong>Kristeen Collison</strong> - John Farnham! Australian legend.</p> <p><strong>Lyn Gardiner </strong>- Male: Elvis. Female: Karen Carpenter and Linda Ronstadt. Can't separate them.</p> <p><strong>Mary Bartlett </strong>- Don Williams, the gentle giant.</p> <p><strong>Deb Wagner</strong> - Leonard Cohen. </p> <p><strong>Cheryl Barrett</strong> - Freddie Mercury hands down. </p> <p><strong>Peter Brady</strong> - Aretha Franklin. </p> <p><strong>Karen Turner</strong> - Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams and John Farnham.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Music

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Readers response: What’s an Australian icon or landmark that holds a special meaning for you?

<p>We asked our readers what Australian icon or landmark holds a special meaning for them, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Rae Dutton</strong> - Ayers Rock (Uluru). I climbed it in my twenties. Everyone there that day was completely respectful and we just took photos. Such a shame people are no longer allowed to experience that.</p> <p><strong>Darryl Wilkes</strong> - Being a Sydneysider, the Harbour Bridge and Opera House of course.</p> <p><strong>Lynette Miller</strong> - The Blue Mountains. I have relatives up there so been going since my brother and I were kids love it always stunning.</p> <p><strong>Kathryn Potter</strong> - The Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes, NSW.</p> <p><strong>Tony Smith</strong> - The domes of the Bungle Bungles in Purnululu National Park. Breathtaking and Spiritual.</p> <p><strong>Val Derksen</strong> - Richmond, Tasmania.</p> <p><strong>Margie Buckingham</strong> - The Australia Rock at Narooma.</p> <p><strong>Janita Hill</strong> - Coorong and River Murray Mouth. Feeling of belonging.</p> <p><strong>Irene Loring</strong> - Rottnest and Port Hedland.</p> <p><strong>Marian Monaghan</strong> - Pildappa Rock on Eyre Peninsula.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Readers response: What are your biggest regrets from your 20s?

<p>We asked our reader what they regret from their 20s, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Lynne Fairbrother</strong> - No regrets, my 20's was great.</p> <p><strong>Graham Turnor</strong> - Listening to politicians!</p> <p><strong>Helen Dickenson</strong> - Travelling! As now travelling in my 70s is more difficult.</p> <p><strong>Maureen James Barlow</strong> - Not having the knowledge I have in my 70’s. Boy would I have done things differently.</p> <p><strong>Debra Walker</strong> - So many things. First was getting married! And not follow my dreams of travelling. If only you could turn back time.</p> <p><strong>Kathryn Bagust</strong> - Not speaking up for myself!</p> <p><strong>Karen Ambrose</strong> - Not being adventurous enough.</p> <p><strong>Ann Nicholls</strong> - Biggest regret is having no children, which has broken my heart. Also marrying the wrong man in my 20’s and stupidly staying with him until I had the courage to walk away and not look back at age 39.</p> <p><strong>Colleen Burgess</strong> - Spending every pay check! Should've saved!</p> <p><strong>Caroline Wilson</strong> - Never should have got married, should have just waited it out.</p> <p><strong>Dianne Roberts</strong> - Taking too much notice of what other people think I should be doing.</p> <p><strong>Denise Farrugia</strong> - Didn't travel enough. </p> <p><strong>Maureen Byrne</strong> - Not taking a job as a travel agent when offered to me with all the free travel back then.</p> <p><strong>Cat Duffy</strong> - Getting married. </p> <p><strong>Di Telf</strong> - Not going to Uni earlier.</p> <p><strong>Linda Craig</strong> - Not following my heart. </p> <p><strong>Judith Leoni</strong> - Maybe that I never got enough sleep!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p> <p> </p>

Retirement Life

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Readers response: Which discontinued fast food item do you want to come back?

<p>We asked our reader what discontinued food item they would love to see make a comeback. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Lillian Mary Brand</strong> - KFC had this wicked bean salad back in the 80's!!! Loved it!!</p> <p><strong>Ellen Kuchel</strong> - Lattice Biscuits and Polly Waffles.</p> <p><strong>Phill Johnston</strong> - All you can eat at Pizza Hut.</p> <p><strong>Bruce Hopkins</strong> - Henny Penny Chicken.</p> <p><strong>Sharyn Wood</strong> - KFC in the late 60s early 70s had the most amazing gravy I have ever tasted. A pot of the gravy with their bread rolls was a very cheap meal!</p> <p><strong>Herman Zirkzee</strong> - Real milkshakes in metal containers with ice cream and malt.</p> <p><strong>Maureen Whale</strong> - Georgie Pie. </p> <p><strong>Robyn Joy Davis</strong> - Potato skins from Sizzlers.</p> <p><strong>Christine Murphy</strong> - Scrambled eggs and big breakfast from Macca's.</p> <p><strong>Julia Haffenden</strong> - Hungry Jack's hotdog and Yumbos.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

Food & Wine

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Readers response: What is one fictional place you would like to visit?

<p>We asked our readers what fictional place from a movie, TV or book world they would love to travel to. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Ann Sigley</strong> - Hogwarts and Diagon Alley.</p> <p><strong>Alison Jane</strong> - The Magic Faraway Tree.</p> <p><strong>Peta Alto</strong> - The Secret Garden.</p> <p><strong>Graham Moss</strong> - The Shire from Lord of the Rings.</p> <p><strong>Kath Wilkinson</strong> - Robinson Crusoe’s island.</p> <p><strong>Ken Harris</strong> - Emerald City. </p> <p><strong>Betty Howarth</strong> - Marigold hotel.</p> <p><strong>Matilda Jambour</strong> - Camelot.</p> <p><strong>Joy Gardner</strong> - Narnia. </p> <p><strong>Jean Rose Paoli</strong> - The garden of Eden. </p> <p><strong>Jennifer Halemba</strong> - Brigadoon. </p> <p><strong>Regina Johnson</strong> - Pemberley. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock</em></p>

International Travel

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Readers response: What is something that has drastically improved your mental health?

<p>We asked our readers to share their daily rituals that make all the difference to their mental health. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Rhonda Searle</strong> - Walking in the bush or along the beach.</p> <p><strong>Jo Balland</strong> - A cleaning lady 90 minutes a fortnight that is part of my aged care package. It’s such a relief.</p> <p><strong>Jules Higginson</strong> - Caring for 18 rescued cats!</p> <p><strong>Jill McNee</strong> - Leaving a toxic environment called work.</p> <p><strong>Maureen James Barlow</strong> - A big social circle, a great boyfriend and getting away into the bush with my dogs in my camper-van.</p> <p><strong>Jan Vickers</strong> - Being myself and not caring what others thought.</p> <p><strong>Ken Bottrell </strong>- Meditation and moving away from toxic people.</p> <p><strong>Christine Van Poppel</strong> - Moving out of the city and back to the countryside.</p> <p><strong>Marlene Hassett</strong> - Adopting my greyhound.</p> <p><strong>Rory Semple</strong> - Eat better, no take out, being active and away from sitting at a desk.</p> <p><strong>David Taylor</strong> - Seventies music!</p> <p><strong>Janice Ann Jensen</strong> - Doing crossword puzzles and line dancing.</p> <p><strong>Di Riddell</strong> - Staying connected with friends.</p> <p><strong>Susan Rough</strong> - Playing lawn bowls.</p> <p><strong>Marlene Paskov</strong> - Gardening.</p> <p><strong>Lois Collins</strong> - Not having to host Christmas anymore and always having a dog or two around. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

Mind

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Readers response: What’s a travel memory that’s made you feel connected to past generations or history?

<p>We asked our readers to share their favourite travel stories that made them reflect on travellers that came before them, and if they have ever felt connected to past generations or history in certain locations. Here's what they said. </p> <p><span dir="auto"><strong>Yve T Plus Kaiser Kody</strong> - </span>Egypt! Walking in the footsteps of the ancients, amazing aura. Such a wonderful history and the architecture was mind-blowing.</p> <p><strong>Gail Ladds</strong> - Visiting Gallipoli last year. My Grandfather was in one of the landings and fought there. Putting my feet in the water had me crying and thinking how horrific it must have been for all of them.</p> <p><strong>Anna-Therese Eastment</strong> - Quietly touching the walls of the Coliseum, and waiting to hear their whispers of history. Not the salacious ones - but the hopes and dreams of the wall builders themselves. The reply I heard was that those were fundamentally along the lines of the hopes and dreams we hold today. Sorry for the long splurge, but in the midst of all that busyness I truely felt the threads that linked us across the eons. Awesome.</p> <p><strong>Denise Ryan</strong> - Skibbereen in West Cork, Ireland where my father’s family came from many generations ago.</p> <p><strong>Lorraine Hodder </strong>- England. Both my paternal and maternal families originated there. I felt a real affinity with it.</p> <p><strong>Jim Janush</strong> - Having a photo myself taken in 1993 on a seat in Kaunas, Lithuania, at the same place where my father had his photo taken in 1943.</p> <p><strong>Ralph G Smith</strong> - Visiting the beaches of Normandy and the World War One battlefields in France!</p> <p><strong>Marilyn Thomson</strong> - Walking in Tipperary, knowing my ancestors walked the same tracks and fields before coming to Australia.</p> <p><strong>Bob Brownley</strong> - Standing at the empty site in Govan, Glasgow on which the house stood in which my mother was born in 1902.</p> <p><strong>Steven Schulze</strong> - Cebu, Philippines at the statue of Magellan, then China, entombed warriors, Forbidden City and Great Wall.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Readers response: What has been your approach to reducing or managing debt in retirement?

<p>We asked our readers for their holy grail tips for easing financial strain during retirement years, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Elaine Ralph</strong> - Don’t accumulate debt, live very lightly, and don’t go to see specialists as they cost a fortune.</p> <p><strong>Karen Howson</strong> - Pay off every debt and stop spending.</p> <p><strong>John Fowler</strong> - We have always budgeted and try to plan for contingencies by allocating for them. We live on our credit card and pay it off when due. My wife has FND so I do all the cooking and keep it simple and cost effective and rarely dine out or eat take away. Our budget has always included allocated "pocket money" for personal spending.</p> <p><strong>Patricia Bennett</strong> - Try to be debt free (particularly mortgages) and stick to a budget.</p> <p><strong>Steve Smith</strong> - Don't have any, and make sure that you can pay your own way 100%. It's called "cut your coat according to your cloth". If you don't know how to budget then learn - it's never ever too late.</p> <p><strong>Barbara Everall</strong> - Stop going out as much as possible avoid the shops.</p> <p><strong>Marie Chong</strong> - Make sure you own your own home, before you retire.</p> <p><strong>Angela Chapman</strong> - Stop spending on unnecessary things.</p> <p><strong>Naomi Jeffrey</strong> - Hope for the best?</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Retirement Income

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Readers response: What are some things older generations did as couples that we rarely see today?

<p>We asked our readers what simple acts of romance they encountered in their lives, that younger generations don't partake in anymore, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Sharon Watson</strong> - Men would walk on the outside of the lady on the road. Also, walking hand in hand and doors &amp; car doors were opened by men for women.</p> <p><strong>Jo Hoffman</strong> - Went to cabarets for old time ballroom dancing to beautiful music!</p> <p><strong>Ann MacCann</strong> - Taking walks holding hands.</p> <p><strong>Judith Turpin</strong> - Ate breakfast and evening meal at the table as family. We communicated!</p> <p><strong>Margaret Gerlach</strong> - Visited family and in-laws every week.</p> <p><strong>Lorna Johnson</strong> - Gentlemen tipped their hats at ladies and held the door open for you.</p> <p><strong>Jan Bradley</strong> - Dancing at the town hall, drive in movies, stayed together.</p> <p><strong>Jane Reynolds</strong> - Spending time together as a family, playing games, talking to each other. No phones, writing and receiving letters, supporting each other, staying together, caring and helping each other.</p> <p><strong>Myfawny Jones</strong> - One partner read the road map while the other drived, often on corrugated gravel roads.</p> <p><strong>Lindi Williams</strong> - Played cards together.</p> <p><strong>Cherylyn Thornton</strong> - Went to the drive in movies.</p> <p><strong>Patricia Sutton</strong> - We had children because we wanted them, not because of the economy or that we couldn't afford them!</p> <p><strong>Di Richardson</strong> - Shotgun marriages!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Relationships

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Readers response: If you could live abroad temporarily, where would you go and why?

<p>We asked our readers where they would settle if they could relocate, and why they would pick their new home destination, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Cathy Parker</strong> - Scotland, and it wouldn't be temporarily, it would be permanent!</p> <p><strong>Karleen Green</strong> - Ireland, but without winter.</p> <p><strong>Jackie A Morris</strong> - Southern Spain, beautiful place and wonderful people.</p> <p><strong>Lyn McLaughlin</strong> - London. I'd easily fit in there.</p> <p><strong>Jeanne Meyers</strong> - South Africa as I lived there for 10 years and loved it.</p> <p><strong>Jenny Harris</strong> - Italy. I just love the atmosphere, friendliness of people and way of life.</p> <p><strong>Stuart Galloway</strong> - Menorca, Spain. Nice people, laid back atmosphere, and fewer (and better behaved) tourists compared to Ibiza and Majorca.</p> <p><strong>Ruth Peter Nussbaumer</strong> - Italy or southern Switzerland. So much culture and food. I would have to be millionaire though!</p> <p><strong>Yvonne Knight </strong>- Vietnam. Gorgeous people and very inexpensive.</p> <p><strong>Robyn Wilkie</strong> - Canada or Alaska. Been twice but never long enough. Love, love those places.</p> <p><strong>Kathy Wise</strong> - Germany, Austria, Switzerland or Canada!</p> <p><strong>Barbara Dakers</strong> - South Island New Zealand, or Norway. Poles apart but both so very beautiful, natural, peaceful and friendly.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

International Travel

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Readers response: What's one song that never fails to make you cry?

<p>We asked our readers what song always fills them with emotion, whether because of the lyrics or being associated with a heartfelt memory. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Kathryn Sands</strong> - Dance with my Father by Luther Vandross.</p> <p><strong>Carol Hanson</strong> - Amazing Grace. Was played on the bagpipes at my mum's funeral.</p> <p><strong>Matthew Walter</strong> - Probably "When You Kiss Me" by Shania Twain, as it's the song my wife walked down the aisle to on our wedding day. The other one would be "What I Never Knew I Always Wanted" by Carrie Underwood, which played after my son was born. Just sums up parenthood perfectly!</p> <p><strong>Patricia Sundin</strong> - “I was only 19”. Makes me think of all my friends who were conscripted to go to fight in Vietnam. Not a happy time.</p> <p><strong>Janette Willis</strong> - What a Wonderful World - Louis Armstrong. </p> <p><strong>Trish Watts </strong>- If Tomorrow Never Comes by Garth Brooks.</p> <p><strong>Jan Palmer</strong> - Imagine by John Lennon. </p> <p><strong>Adelle Ellmers</strong> - Sounds of Silence cover by Disturbed. Played at my husband's funeral. It was one of his favourites.</p> <p><strong>Gay Sharran Gold</strong> - At Last…. I have to turn it off when it plays. My daughter married her partner two days before she died and had that playing for their song.</p> <p><strong>Heather Widjaja</strong> - Monsters by James Blunt. Always reminds me of the last days of my Dad's life.</p> <p><strong>Jeanette Heaton</strong> - Forever Young by Bob Dylan. Reminds me of my beloved - lost too soon.</p> <p><strong>Laraine Hughes</strong> - Because by Mario Lanza. Walked down the aisle and played at my beloved husband's funeral. Started and ended our life together.</p> <p><strong>Rhonda Leaman</strong> - Somewhere Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Music

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Readers response: What's one thing you must do when visiting Australia?

<p>We asked our readers what travellers shouldn't miss when they head to Australia. Here's what they said.</p> <p><strong>Jim Bell</strong> - The one thing you must do is to take a couple months there. We were there for 3 weeks and it wasn't nearly long enough to see and do everything we wanted to.</p> <p><strong>Lorraine James</strong> - Land in Brisbane and take a cruise ship to Tasmania. Princess does a cruise stopping in Sydney, Bega, a country town on the coast and then of course Port Arthur old penal settlement then Hobart ,Tasmania. Get a taste of Australia.</p> <p><strong>Deedee Cullum</strong> - If you’re in a major city then catch a train for the day. Eg, Sydney to Blue Mountains or Melbourne to Dandenongs. That way you’ll see some bush without the bother of driving.</p> <p><strong>Anne Hare</strong> - Go see Uluru in the Northern Territory. It's a long way from the coast but it will astound you.</p> <p><strong>Suzanne Maree Saxelby</strong> - Remember to visit the outback. It has a beauty that the coastline doesn't have.</p> <p><strong>Janette Mitchell</strong> - Take the XPT train from Sydney to Coffs Harbour. So much beautiful scenery &amp; Coffs Harbour is a great place to stay.</p> <p><strong>Mattie Smith</strong> - Don't just stick to the coast! Australia has so much to offer. </p> <p><strong>Avis Tolcher</strong> - Visit the Whitsundays. So beautiful.</p> <p><strong>Judith Turpin</strong> - Wander through the Daintree on foot. Swim in a deep fresh water hole. Take your children on a guided night walk through the forest. Magic!</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Domestic Travel

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Readers response: What seems too expensive but is really worth the price?

<p>We asked our readers w<span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="color: #080809;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">hat items or experience seem, too expensive but are really worth the price, and the </span></span></span>response was overwhelming. Here's what our audience will always justify the price of.</p> <p><strong>Robbie Kirkwood</strong> - Travel insurance.</p> <p><strong>Elizabeth Foster</strong> - Business class on long haul flights.</p> <p><strong>Jeanette Wallis</strong> - Coffee beans.</p> <p><strong>Mandy O'Connor</strong> - A good pair of Levi jeans, and a good pair of boots.</p> <p><strong>Pamela McDonald</strong> - I would say electricity! Seems lots complain about the cost until you lose power, then you realise how hard life would be without it.</p> <p><strong>Tess Witchell</strong> - Real butter! Three ply toilet rolls, frappe iced coffee from McDonald’s, and proper bakery bread.</p> <p><strong>Sue Yunker </strong>- Wine!</p> <p><strong>Michael Schulze</strong> - A decent cup of coffee. </p> <p><strong>Suzanne Jones</strong> - A holiday. </p> <p><strong>Rose Niemack</strong> - Fruits and vegetables. </p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p>

Money & Banking

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Readers response: What was the worst hotel experience you had?

<p>We asked our readers to share their stories of the worst hotel experience that have endured while on holiday, and the response was overwhelming. Here's what they said. </p> <p><strong>Deedee Cullum</strong> - At a 5 star in Beijing. Arrived from the airport after 1am. Let into the room to find it occupied with someone having a bath. Instead of changing our room we waited in the lobby for 1 and 1/2 hours while they changed to the correct room and cleaned ours. The wet towels were neatly folded on the towel rack and the used soap was on the basin. When I turned the bedside light on I got a shock. To be fair management were most apologetic and gave us free dining in their top restaurant for the 4 days we were there. It was a few years ago but never forgotten.</p> <p><strong>Bruce Hopkins</strong> - I stopped at a Hotel in Hobart, arrived in the afternoon, checked out the next day, the whole time I stopped there, I never saw anyone on reception or any staff at all. Creepiest hotel I stayed in.</p> <p><strong>Carol Henwood</strong> - When we went to have a shower, and the towels disintegrated! The shower had black mould in all the corners. The carpet was so sticky, we kept our shoes on.  We slept on top of the bed as the sheets were crumpled and smelly. What a night.</p> <p><strong>Sheila Kell </strong>- When my eldest son was about 2 years old we took a holiday to Shute Harbour in QLD and in middle of night we heard lots of scratching so turned on light and sat up in bed and there were hundreds of field mice crawling up walls and back of bed. They apparently were having a plague, but we dressed and left. Couldn't sleep in that motel.</p> <p><strong>Christine Warner</strong> - A country pub only option one night. Our room has no lock on the door, and there were gaps in the floorboards so we could see straight down to the bar where it was very noisy. We had already been warned of people breaking in to hotel and motel rooms in that region, so we slept in the car and returned to the room in the morning for a shower.</p> <p><strong>Helen Wilson</strong> - In Singapore, they gave us a “free” breakfast while someone rummaged through our belongings and took stuff.</p> <p><em>Image credits: Shutterstock </em></p> <p> </p>

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