We’re kiwiboomers alright - but sometimes we stretch that definition across the Tasman to see what our Australian counterparts are up to. Here’s a story about ageing positively by Gay Miller.

It is rather like a testosterone-charged young man driving a clapped-out car. For some of us the car may not be able to keep up with our eagerness and enthusiasm for life.

I have been lucky. On my 50th birthday I was studying an Arts Degree, then added a Law Degree with Honours, and then Articles. This followed with my dream job of volunteer solicitor at a well-known Legal Centre, where I still work part time today at 65 years of age.

Wrinkly, saggy skin, greying hair and a cuddly appearance do not figure very highly with some people. I was happily unaware of this until two small incidents put a line in the sand and I realised that some people do treat you differently because of your age. In the first incident a young man walked straight at me on the footpath. As I did a judo roll out of his way I realised that I was completely invisible to him. The second incident was a trip to a local Fish and Chip shop where the service, normally dismal and dour, was speedy and cheerful - because my young attractive daughter was present!

Some people equate aged as being stupid or slow witted. But it is certainly not that.

I am having the time of my life. Age has given me a freedom to do many things – singing; entering my first eisteddfod (and failing magnificently!), having a personal trainer and skiting about my great upper body strength – being a Church Warden, planning a CD of my singing both solo and with family, and gathering material for a book about the hilarious side of ageing.

I have Parkinsons and this, combined with ageing has given me some very funny and wonderful experiences and a desire to fill each moment of the day and enjoy life.