FINANCE
Are you eligible for the pension?
What is your immediate reaction when you think about, or someone mentions Centrelink? My guess is that“ easy to deal with”,“ fast”, and“ easy to understand”, are not some of the phrases which spring to mind.
It is for this reason, many people who are entitled to the Age Pension, even if only for a small amount, don’ t bother trying to claim. They don’ t want to go through the stress of deciphering the claim process, or don’ t have the time to spend hours on hold, waiting to talk to someone. At a minimum, this means that they are missing out on the many Federal and State government rebates and discounts which are available to Pension Concession Card holders.
The ABS reports that the average age of retirement is 55 years old. We calculate that the average age of our clients, when applying for the Age
Pension, is 70 years old, despite the eligibility age being 67 years old. The ABS also report that 30 % of retired women have no personal income( no government pension and no superannuation), compared with 7 % of men.
Don’ t wait until you retire! If you are over 67 years old, find out today whether you are eligible for a partial pension and Pension Concession Card, by filling in the Centrelink Payment Finder online.
Alternatively, give us a call and we can do a quick check over the phone. We specialise in providing personalised assistance to people who are applying for the Age Pension.
We use easy-to-understand language and apply our experience to anticipate any potential requests for more information.
Call us today, 1300 222 484.
Local artists Libby Moore and Viola Dominello to feature in new exhibition Still / Alive
Hornsby Shire Council is delighted to present Still / Alive, a vibrant new exhibition at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, running from 13 February to 1 March 2026. The exhibition features works by two highly regarded Hornsby Shire artists Libby Moore of Beecroft and Viola Dominello of Dural.
Bringing together more than 60 paintings, Still / Alive celebrates the artists’ shared love of flowers particularly Australian native blooms longside Moore’ s distinctive still life compositions, which feature her muchloved glass and ceramic objects.
The exhibition will showcase a selection of Moore’ s award-winning artworks, many of which are held in private and public collections, displayed alongside Dominello’ s striking new body of work.
Moore, winner of the 2023 Hornsby Art Prize Local Artist Award for her painting Just put your feet up for a while, works predominantly in acrylic on canvas to create semi-surreal still life paintings. A graduate of the
National Art School, she has received recognition in several major art prizes, including winning the Georges River Art Prize in 2023.
Dominello’ s‘ en plein air’ practice spans painting, drawing and watercolour. Her career includes artist residencies in Italy and Tasmania, and her work has been featured in major art prizes and recognised with prestigious awards, including the AGNSW Trustees Watercolour Prize and the John and Elizabeth Newman Pring Memorial Prize.
Warren Waddell encouraged residents to experience the exhibition.
“ Council is proud to support events that celebrate creativity and local talent,” Mayor Waddell said.“ Exhibitions like Still / Alive provide a wonderful opportunity for our community to connect with art, discover new perspectives and enjoy the cultural richness that Hornsby Shire has to offer. I encourage everyone to visit Wallarobba and see these outstanding works for themselves.”
Still / Alive is free to attend and will be open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 4pm, from 13 February to 1 March, at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby.
For more information, visit: www. hornsby. nsw. gov. au / stillalive.
Libby Moore in her studio
Feeling peckish?
Satisfy your appetite with breakfast, lunch or dinner at The Fiddler.
WALK INS WELCOME or SCAN TO BOOK A TABLE
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 128 // FEBRUARY 2026 9