opinion
Noel Whittaker: Does leaving a job voluntarily definitely provide grounds for super access?

Farina? You’ve probably never heard of the place. For years I’ve been deep in the world of finance, helping folks build wealth for their golden years. But let me tell you, money in the bank is one thing, waking up with a spring in your step because you’ve got a reason to get out of bed is another. I came face-to-face with this — not in some big city office, but in a place that, on the map, you might mistake for nothing more than a dot. Farina is a town in the South Australian outback. It was an accidental discovery. We’d set off on an expedition through the Flinders Ranges to see the camel races at Marree, 500km south-west of Birdsville. But, as luck would have it, the area was hit by an unseasonal deluge. With the races cancelled, we were stranded in Marree for three days. Of course, we needed coffee, but we soon discovered Marree was the wrong place to find it. Luckily, our team leader came to the rescue. He told us about a hidden gem nearby: Farina. A great place for coffee and food, and exactly what we needed. After a short drive, we passed through the gates of a vast property and discovered what looked like a deserted village. It was filled with beautiful stone buildings, most of which were in ruins, many roofless. But everywhere we looked there were caravans and, outside the coffee shop, long queues of people waited. Farina’s story is remarkable. Established in 1870 as Government Gums, it soon grew — powered by plans to model it after Adelaide. The Great Northern Railway’s arrival in 1882 brought growth and by the 1890s it thrived, with 600 residents and many businesses. But life in the outback took its toll. The school closed in 1957, followed by the post office in 1960, and the general store in 1967. By the early 2000s, Farina had become a ghost town. In 2003, a group of people — mostly retirees enjoying the “grey nomad” lifestyle — saw potential in Farina’s forgotten ruins. They began a project restoring Farina’s buildings and breathing new life into the town. Now, for eight weeks each year, Farina springs to life thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who come in caravans, much like a travelling circus. They’re not just passing through — many sign up a year in advance, eager to contribute to the town’s revival. One of their first priorities was the restoration of the underground oven, a vital piece of Farina’s past, and now the focal point. The volunteers rebuilt it and for eight weeks each year, the sweet smells of freshly baked bread, cakes and pastries fill the air, all prepared the old-fashioned way. Their quality rivals the best in the city. The camaraderie among the volunteers is palpable. They wear uniforms to symbolise their shared commitment and work side by side to bring the town’s history back to life. When we got chatting with some of them, it became clear that their motivation wasn’t just about the work itself: it was about the sense of purpose and connection they felt with each other through this effort. Farina tells a quiet truth: there’s more to life than chasing money. Sure, financial security matters — it’s the base. And from there, you build a life with purpose, connection and meaning. And if you’re looking for a place that teaches this, look no further than Farina. For eight weeks a year, it’s anything but a ghost town. It’s a demonstration that life isn’t just about making a living — it’s about making a difference. ASK THE EXPERT Q: You say leaving a job is a suitable condition for the release of super once preservation age is reached. My preference on shortly turning 60 is to resign and voluntarily leave my profession. At that time, rather than starting a transition to retirement income stream, I would take most of my super as a lump sum, leaving a small sum to cover total and permanent disability insurance payments, then seek work in another field. I can’t find an Australian Tax Office reference to leaving a job, only to reaching age 60 and either retiring or starting a transition to retirement income stream. Does leaving a job voluntarily definitely provide grounds for super access? A: To access your super upon reaching age 60 you need to satisfy a condition of release which involves retiring from a job — it need not be your main job. You have satisfied this condition. A TTR is a commonly used strategy for people you wish to keep working but access part of their super as an income stream. Noel Whittaker is the author of Wills, Death and Taxes Made Simple and other books on personal finance. His advice is general in nature and readers should seek their own professional advice before making any financial decisions.

opinionNoel Whittaker: Does leaving a job voluntarily definitely provide grounds for super access?

opinion
Noel Whittaker: Does leaving a job voluntarily definitely provide grounds for super access?