Golfing ladies

Book club

WITH IAN SNARE, HALCYON GLADES

Ian Snare worked as a counsellor specialising in men’s health before moving to Halcyon Glades from acreage in Tasmania with his wife Susan two years ago. He has a passion for reading, gardening and cycling.

Jack and Harry

Authors: Tony McKenna and Mervyn Davis, Australian Arts & Entertainment Pty,Ltd, RRP: $19.50

Set in Western and South Australia in the 1950’s, this novel evolves around two 15 year old boys who are best mates. They live a normal life growing up in the Perth suburbs until they are accused of stealing by another boy. In their naivety they think they will end up in jail and so run away together to avoid the long arm of the law. The book is of their adventures as they learn to be young men in an adult’s world. This is a great yarn. It is a very readable story which sees the best in people. Without violence and other nasty themes, it shows the growing up of two young men and leaves you with a “feel good” feeling as it concludes. I was truly sad this book finished, but there is a sequel called No Turning Back which I am about to read.

The Body – a Guide for Occupants

Author: Bill Bryson, Doubleday Books, RRP: $19.99 (soft cover)

From an incredible amount of research, Bill Bryson has written an eminently readable, funny and simply fascinating book about this frame we live within. You don’t have to have a biology background to understand this book …. it is written for ordinary people like you and I.

Bryson almost makes it a travelogue where one “sightsees” through the body and all its various systems and how they function and relate. It is the near perfect combination of a good read and a comprehensive biology textbook.I challenge you to do something different and read this book. You will laugh, be entertained and learn a lot along the way.

Any Ordinary Day

Author: Leigh Sales, Penguin Books, RRP $19.99

Most of us know Leigh Sales as the highly capable anchor on the ABC’s, The 7.30 Report which I watch most nights. In one part of her professional life Leigh interviewed a succession of people who had brushes with death. Around the same time Leigh also had a personal “close to death” experience. This book came out of Leigh talking candidly to these people who, rather than being destroyed by trauma and looking death in the face, found amazing strength to go on and recover and even flourish in their personal lives. This book is certainly worth a read on a number of levels as it looks at what happens when severe trauma is dealt with by the human spirit within us. I found reading it a very positive and uplifting experience.

The ladies who golf Words by Joel Mercieca

Each Wednesday morning we hold golf lessons for Halcyon’s beginner ladies, with around 25 trying their hand.

The biggest success story is a collective one for the group. There have been so many ladies who had never touched a golf club before moving into Halcyon Greens who are now starting to get out on the course and play golf somewhat regularly. It’s been truly great to see the ladies growing with confidence every week. As well as offering the opportunity to get some exercise, it’s a sport that’s challenging but in a way where your biggest challenge is you versus you, rather than you versus others. I think a lot of people don’t realise that when they first start out. They think that they have to try to be as good as someone else but that’s definitely not the case. The social aspect to playing golf in general is a huge part of the appeal of the sport. There’s something really great about learning a new skill with friends and neighbours in a group environment. It’s been very rewarding for me to see the personal growth and development from some of the ladies who have been coming to the group sessions.

TOP FIVE TIPS WITH JOEL MERCIECA

GOLF INSTRUCTOR, GAINSBOROUGH GREENS GOLF CLUB

1.Get lessons - don’t trust your friend or go searching the internet to try to work out how to swing the golf club. 2.Know your body - whilst there are certain things that must happen in order to hit a golf ball well, there are also many different ways to get the job done. Tailoring a golf swing around your physical capabilities is crucial. 5.Have fun! - remember why you started. The idea is to have fun and have a laugh with your friends.

3.Don’t try to learn too much too quickly - Increase your golf IQ bit by bit. There are key fundamentals many of which revolve around setting up to the ball well before you even start your swing.

4.Spend time on the putting green - I know most people love the idea of hitting their driver a long way and that is a huge part of the game, but putting is the big leveller in this sport.

Son’s fight inspires donation

It was a very personal battle which led to Tony and Penny Nicholson donating their Friends of Halcyon gift to the Leukaemia Foundation.

“Our son was diagnosed 12 months ago with leukaemia,” Tony said. “He’s 50 and is fighting very hard, so we wanted to try and help. “No-one in the family was a match for a bone marrow transplant and because of COVID, there were no planes coming in from overseas so it has been a real struggle. “Fortunately a match came from a lady in Africa, so he has had the transplant.” Tony said their donation would help the Leukaemia Foundation continue to do good work supporting families through the process, as well as helping research cures, treatments and sourcing those valuable bone marrow donors.

The couple moved into Halcyon Landing early last year after being referred by friends, who live at Halcyon Lakeside. “We really liked the idea but there was nothing available at Lakeside, so we made the move to Landing.” Tony said they were starting to settle into the community, as they spent many months with their son in Western Australia.

“It was a messy year last year and we haven’t gotten into as many activities as we had planned but we’re starting to do a lot more now,” he said. “We’ve met some lovely people here and we’re getting involved in more.”

Tony and Penny Nicholson, Halcyon Landing

CURING AND CONQUERING BLOOD CANCER

The Leukaemia Foundation works to help find a cure, fund treatment and support for Australians living with blood cancers including lymphoma, multiple myeloma and leukaemia.

Services include information and education, emotional and wellbeing support, accommodation, transport, assessment and referral to other allied health professionals, treatment, advocacy, support groups, research as well as advocacy and policy. There are no screening programs available for blood cancers and every day 47 Australians are diagnosed and 15 will lose their life each day. Their goal is to achieve zero lives lost to blood cancer by 2035.

For more information, go to www.leukaemia.org.au

READ MORE ABOUT THE LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION HERE

Michael and Kerry Pert Sylvia Daveney and Maxine Wharton

Barb and Rex Wickes

The Bunker Opening

B BY HALCYON, THURSDAY 4 FEBRUARY 2021

James Bond and Pussy Galore watch out! B by Halcyon’s stylish homeowners donned their best Casino Royale black tie attire for the red carpet opening of The Bunker.

Guests sipped on cocktails (shaken, not stirred) and partied until late, playing casino games and doing their best 007 impersonation. The Bunker has fast become a popular spot for many homeowners to catch up, wind down and enjoy the community.

Irene Hurley and Donna Osborne

Project Director Chris Carley

Sue Burgess and daughter Nicole Roberston

Canopy Release

B BY HALCYON, THURSDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2021

Discerning buyers were out in force at the launch of the latest release of new homes available at B by Halcyon.

Even local media came along for the Canopy Release, part of the much-awaited Stage 2 of the Buderim community. The sites, many of which are larger, are tiered up to a beautiful green canopy of old forest growth and established mature trees. They have a north-south alignment, gently rising up Buderim Hill.

Reay and Bev Pool

Roger and Johneen Wood Kevin and Debbie Brennan

Cheryl and Wayne Kelland

Foundation Homeowner Street Party

HALCYON RISE, TUESDAY 2 MARCH 2021

Ahot day and a dramatic thunderstorm didn’t stop the foundation homeowners of our ninth community having a wonderful time.

They were welcomed into Halcyon Rise through a floral arbour, where they walked the red carpet to a cocktail bar. While the street party may have been moved indoors to the function space, The Walrus, the assembled guests were entertained by Debbie’s Dallas Line Dancers and some late karaoke.

LifeBeginsatHalcyon.com.au

Deb McGeady and Debbie Lindsay Graham McGeady and bartender

Brian and Sharon Williams

Ralph and Geraldine Daniels

Shannon and Kerry Bell

Display Home Reveal

HALCYON GREENS, WEDNESDAY 3 MARCH 2021

Making a party of it, homeowners from Halcyon Greens were given a VIP preview of the five brand new display homes.

Musical duo Blue Poppy Roving entertained the throng as they made their way through the new homes (with COVID-19 safe capacity limits per home), which have been styled by Coco Republic. Drinks and canapes were served while homeowners waited for their turn to view the homes, one of which has a putting green in the backyard.

Alan and Janet Purves

Blue Poppy Roving

Ian and Lorraine Pynor Darryl and Pam Kramer

Norm and Lyn Hockey

Halcyon communities

Judged Australia’s best lifestyle communities... Thank you

Please phone 1800 626 488 for more information on our communities.

Downsize to an acreage lifestyle 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD. Located in Logan Reserve and set on 100 picturesque acres fronting the Logan River. This sprawling community is tribute to the traditional South East Queensland lifestyle amid open spaces, rolling hills and with deep agricultural roots.

8 Halcyon Way, Logan Reserve (off Logan Reserve Road) - Display homes open 9am-4pm, Monday to Saturday

Halcyon Lakeside BLI BLI Nestled in the foothills of Buderim and wrapped in sub-tropical rainforest, B by Halcyon offers a retreat to nature just minutes from beaches. Here, you can lose yourself in creative pursuits, a health and wellness journey or the sense of community.

2 Retreat Drive, Buderim (off Whites Road) - Display homes open 9am-4pm, Monday to Saturday

Halcyon Greens

GAINSBOROUGH GREENS - PIMPAMA

Enjoy country club living at Halcyon Greens, Australia’s first golf and lifestyle community designed for over 50s. The 84 acre community is surrounded by an 18-hole golf course, and overlooks natural wetlands and nature reserve.

7 Halcyon Drive, Pimpama - Display homes open 9am - 4pm, Monday to Saturday

Halcyon Glades CABOOLTURE

Located five minutes from the centre of Bli Bli and situated within the masterplanned Parklakes 2 community, Halcyon Lakeside features 5-star resort facilities, over 6km of connected walking tracks and 450m of lake frontage set against a natural backdrop of undulating hills. Halcyon Lakeside was judged Australia’s best in 2019 by the UDIA. Situated at Caboolture north is Halcyon Glades; a tree change located halfway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. Halcyon Glades offers the best of both worlds and includes all the hallmarks of an award-winning Halcyon community.

34 Ardrossan Road, Caboolture - Homes available, inspection by appointment

Halcyon once again turned to the Gold Coast’s prestigious North Shore for its first waterfront lifestyle community, Vision by Halcyon. Located on an island at Hope Island, the exclusive gated community won the UDIA QLD’s Seniors Living award.

11 Grant Avenue, Hope Island - Homes available, inspection by appointment

Located in the centre of the Sunshine Coast at Bli Bli, Halcyon Landing is a shining example of award-winning masterplanning. In tune with nature, the 25-acre lifestyle community is bordered by a 2km signature walking trail and natural parklands.

27 Waigani Street, Bli Bli - Homes available, inspection by appointment

Halcyon Waters HOPE ISLAND Halcyon Parks CALOUNDRA

Judged Australia’s Best Seniors living, Halcyon Waters is recognised as one of Australia’s premier lifestyle communities. Designed exclusively for over 50s, the vibrant community is set amongst 100 acres of open space and natural waterfront parklands at Hope Island on the Gold Coast’s North Shore.

1 Halcyon Way, Hope Island - Homes available, inspection by appointment

Just five minutes drive from Caloundra’s beaches and town centre, Halcyon Parks nestles comfortably on a leafy 36-acre site surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The masterplanned community incorporates quality architect-designed homes, gated security, comprehensive resort-style facilities and a strong community culture.

42 Meridan Way, Caloundra - Homes available, inspection by appointment

Share your DAYS Halcyon

Want to share your Halcyon Days with us? Send your story to my@halcyondays.com.au

WINNER 2018

HIA Queensland Specialised Housing

Summer 2020/2021

GIVING BACK

Homeowners unite to benefit local communities