Halcyon Way, Logan Reserve, QLD

Gay Hilton

Image from Qantas

EVENTS

Qantas Empire Airways commences the first air service between Australia and South Africa The ANZUS Treaty between Australia, New Zealand and the United States comes into force William Dargie wins the Archibald Prize with his portrait of Essington Lewis

Sunshine Coast native Gay said she felt blessed to be born in the 1950s in a small country town not far away from where she now lives at Halcyon Lakeside.

“I had an idyllic childhood, we’d come home from school for lunch and go for a swim in the creek,” she said. “It was just magic as everyone knew each other and life was very carefree.” Gay still loves the music of the era, citing 1950s rock and roll as her favourite.

“Every Saturday night we would go to the pictures and see Elvis Presley and I remember saying to myself that I was going to go to America one day to see him – and I did!”

Gay celebrated her 70th birthday on 31 January with a host of family and friends at Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

Images from Wikipedia

ARTS

Joan Sutherland makes her debut at Covent Garden

Stockland celebrates 70 years of creating connected communities

From humble beginnings in Sefton in suburban Sydney, Stockland was born from the idea of Ervin Graf - a young Hungarian migrant who came to Australia on a bricklaying visa in 1950.

Having studied architecture before leaving his home country after World War II, Ervin quickly identified a need for affordable housing in the rapidly booming post-war community. He secured backing from Albert Scheinberg and John Hammond and created our first housing estate in 1952. Located close to Sefton Railway Station, the housing estate included the subdivision of a small poultry farm into 19 homes. Ervin worked physically on this project, drawing the housing plans, laying the bricks and paving the driveways. From this small scale beginning, housing activity grew rapidly and the company continued to make a mark on Sefton, later acquiring land which would become a community of 160 homes. The company began to expand throughout Sydney and then interstate over the years. Ervin’s vision was “to not merely achieve growth and profits but to make a worthwhile contribution to the development of our cities and great country.” Stockland is one of Australia’s largest diversified property groups and for 70 years we’ve been paving the way, creating sustainable, thriving communities where people live, shop and work. Today, we own, fund, develop and manage a large portfolio of retail town centres, workplace and logistics assets and residential, land lease and retirement communities.

Back in 1952 Ervin embraced the emerging modern way of Australian living with a contemporary style which embodied the optimism of the era. Today we are dedicated to continuing to honour Ervin’s legacy by building on those strengths by utilising digital technology as well as environmental and social guidelines to build modern communities for Australians.

SPORTS

Horse Racing Peshawar wins the Caulfield Cup Hydrogen wins the Cox Plate Dalray wins the Melbourne Cup

Bledisloe Cup on display in Sydney 2014. Images from Wikipedia Rugby League NSW – Wests defeated Souths 22-12 QLD – Wests defeated Brothers 15-14

VFL

Geelong defeated Collingwood 86-40

Rugby Union Bledisloe Cup was retained by the All Blacks

Framing art in a new era

HOMEOWNER JULIE MIDSON REKINDLED HER CREATIVE PASSION AND UNCOVERED A LATENT TALENT WITH A LIKE-MINDED GROUP OF ARTISTS

With a keen eye and an appreciation for beauty, Julie studied fine art and qualified as an art teacher in the late 1970s, however she didn’t pursue a creative career.

Decades later when she and her husband moved to Stockland’s Halcyon Greens (QLD) in 2019, Julie found a renewed love of figure drawing and still life painting. “I’m not the sporty type so I thought I’d join the art group when we came to Halcyon Greens,” Julie said. “I rediscovered my enjoyment of art and it was great revisiting things I used to do such as charcoal drawings and oil on canvas. “I always enjoyed figure drawing in college, although I don’t have any live models to work with these days so I have to rely on pictures from the internet,” Julie laughed. Julie has now taken over the art group, which meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings in the art room. The group numbers around 12 people and spans a variety of artistic styles from acrylic painting and abstract pieces to portraiture with oils and watercolours.

The group recently staged an art show to launch the new-look creative space (formerly known as the messy art room) updated with a hanging system and built-in shelving to display the collective artworks. The evening included refreshments so people could enjoy some drinks and nibblies after viewing the artworks and speaking to the different artists involved.

Julie says art is a very relaxing activity that is both centring and good for the mind. “A lot of us have dabbled in some form of art in the past, and having a dedicated space has allowed people to explore again.”

Dale Holloway

“The art group is just a nice place for people to go with a really warm feel – there is a lot of conversation and we play music and have a good time.” The creative space at Halcyon Greens is available for all homeowners to pursue their artistic endeavours and is often used for classes to learn new skills from their neighbours. “You don’t have to have any experience because everyone can paint and draw to some degree – there is a lot of support within the art group and we all make suggestions to help each other,” Julie said. “We’ve even had a lady who was doing paint by numbers, so we’re a very inclusive group – there is no ‘art snobbery’ or anything like that – it’s all about being creative and just really enjoying yourself.”

Chris Sergeant

A PASSION FOR PAINTING

After years away from the art studio, Roy Beattie has rediscovered his passion for painting since moving into Halcyon Greens (QLD).

“When I paint, it’s almost like I’m in a trance,” he said. “I see it, I play with it, I put music on and have a bop to it while I paint. I could do it for hours and hours.”

Despite being quite good at art in high school in his native Belfast, he hadn’t picked up a paintbrush for decades as he worked his way around the world as an engineer designing slurry pumps. It wasn’t until he moved to Halcyon Greens (QLD) with wife Anne three years ago, that he returned to the art studio. “I never had time to do it when I was working and after I retired I told myself that I’d start painting or write a book,” he said. After joining the burgeoning art group, Roy threw himself back into art with gusto. “I tried everything, portraits, caricatures, I did a series on Africa and have painted a lot of abstracts and I try to use different materials,” he said. Roy has become quite successful, selling a number of pieces and now also takes commissions.

“I’m just loving it and my wife says they should bring my bed down here to the art studio, I’m here so much,” he laughed. “I said that I could be at the pub drinking instead.”

Wendy Mueller

Robyn Smith Lorna Lindenmayer

Fay Sinclair

Let the fun and games begin

The recreation facilities at Stockland’s Halcyon Nirimba have been designed as the Sunshine Coast’s best backyard.

The new 660 square metre clubhouse will be the beating heart of the new community and a place where homeowners can enjoy all the social, wellness, active, and creative spaces on offer and connect with family and friends. A modern take on the traditional Queenslander, the community-focused, state of the art clubhouse includes sweeping outdoor verandas; an indoor cinema; heated swimming pool, spa and gym; and a bowling green. The alfresco entertaining area completes the space with a communal kitchen, pizza oven and barbeque facilities providing the perfect place to connect with family and friends. Andrew Astorquia, Regional Project Director Stockland Halcyon Communities said the Clubhouse is an outstanding addition to the community. “As an over 50s lifestyle community, we’re focused

on improving the health and wellness of our homeowners and the lifestyle facilities are the perfect way to achieve this,” Andrew said. “Halcyon Nirimba’s Clubhouse provides ample opportunity for homeowners to enjoy sporting and leisure activities, discover creative passions, connect with others or enrich their health and wellbeing, there’s something for everyone.” Halcyon Nirimba is set within the award-winning Stockland masterplanned community of Aura, with access to more than 200 kilometres of walking and cycle paths which easily connects homeowners to a network of shops and facilities. Josh Sondergeld, Aura Project Director at Stockland, said: “This development will complement our wide product offering at Aura, which is the largest masterplanned community in Queensland. “Halcyon Nirimba is part of our large range of home options to suit all generations.” “More than 5,000 people are already calling Aura home, and we look forward to welcoming many more into our community.”

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT THE COMMUNITY

Aff ordable luxury in boutique Berwick

Meticulously designed with our signature mix of quality homes, natural landscapes and state-of-the-art lifestyle facilities.

You’ll find everything you need close to home at Halcyon Berwick, with a range of 2 and 3-bedroom architecturally designed homes on off er. Generously sized, thoughtfully appointed and built to flow seamlessly make for easy living.

Homes priced from $505K* with no entry or exit fees

Artist impression

Join the club at Halcyon Berwick

The Clubhouse off ers an array of resort-style amenities including a heated indoor pool and spa, pickleball court, billiards room, alfresco dining areas and much more.

Display homes now open

To visit our boutique community phone 1800 050 050 to book an appointment or drop into the Sales and Information Centre 21 Hollywood Boulevard, Berwick VIC 3806

Marian Young and Jen Christie, Halcyon Rise

PEOPLE

Thank you for being a friend Golden Girls move to Rise

NEIGHBOURS AND SINGLE LADIES JEN CHRISTIE AND MARIAN YOUNG SET THE SCENE FOR A DUAL MOVE TO STOCKLAND’S HALCYON RISE (QLD).

CLICK HERE TO TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR

Jen and Marian became firm friends when Marian moved next door to Jen’s Loganholme duplex 10 years ago.

“The real estate agent gave me Jen’s number so I could ask about her experience in the duplex and we hit it off from the get-go,” Marian recalled. “Marian moved in next door about four weeks later and we’ve been there for each other ever since,” Jen said. The duo regularly enjoy each other’s company with monthly coffee catchups, lunch dates and regular outings to the movies. As single women living on their own, Marian says it’s nice to have a good friend nearby. “We don’t live in each other’s pockets but we help each other out in lots of ways and it’s comforting to have someone next door if you need them.” It’s this closeness that made Jen reluctant to tell Marian she was moving to Halcyon Rise after a tour of the Logan Reserve community sold her on the facilities, secure environment and neighbourhood of people in her age group. “I plucked up the courage over lunch and told her. Before I knew it, Marian had set up an appointment to have a look and that was it,” Jen laughed. Marian was also attracted to the lifestyle, amenities and community feel at Halcyon Rise. “It was not even on my radar to consider but the more Jen told me about Halcyon Rise, the more excited I became,” Marian said. “It ticked a lot of boxes for me with proximity to family, facilities, security in a gated estate and the general feel of the place with people of a similar age.” Both Jen and Marian have selected a Beechmont home in the Easy Living Series and will live a few houses away from each other. The new-build homes will be completed later in the year. While they wait to move in, the active and social duo are looking forward to meeting new people and being involved in all the activities on offer, including swimming and aqua aerobics in the heated pool, wandering on the walking tracks and trying yoga and pickleball. In true Golden Girl style, Jen and Marian are even trying to convince other single friends to move into Halcyon Rise with them. “The people at Halcyon Rise have been very friendly so far and that’s really inviting – you get the sense that it really is a family and a community there,” Marian said. “I would tell other people considering a move to an over-50s lifestyle community to do it,” Jen added. “Halcyon Rise is such a beautiful place with a secure environment, plenty of facilities and people your own age – it just ticks all the boxes.”

HALCYON BERWICK Boutique Berwick welcomes its foundation

homeowners Stockland has welcomed foundation homeowners to its first over 50s boutique community in Victoria in the sought-after suburb of Berwick.

The five homeowners were transported by stretch Hummer into the gates of Halcyon Berwick where they were met by the community team and a brass band.

The lucky homeowners were driven to their doorstep and welcomed into their new homes to the sounds of the local Arcadia Civic Band who played a number of upbeat and festive tunes. Inside was a gift of a beautiful picnic hamper, complete with lunch and refreshments.

One of the community’s first homeowners, Merren Bailey, said they were on such a high after being welcomed into the community. “Driving in the gates in the stretch Hummer, we felt like rock stars with all the cameras clicking away,” she said. “I’ll never forget it as it made the move feel so special. It was such a buzz.”

Merren had been looking “on and off for a few years” for her next chapter and came across Halcyon Berwick. “It felt very comfortable and all of the staff have been wonderful,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to live in a gated community and ever since I was a little girl I’ve wanted a brand new home, so it’s all fallen into place.” Glenys and Ray Parker have made the move to Halcyon Berwick from their large family home of 47 years and are settling in well. “We’ve come into a brand new home which still has a few touches of our old home, but we’re finding the size very manageable,” Glenys said. She said they were looking forward to getting involved in community life. “Ray is looking forward to playing bowls, pickleball and the pool,” she said. “I’m a big reader so I’m interested in the library, getting involved in crafts and also the social aspect.” Glenys said the COVID lockdowns had showed them that life in the suburbs can be lonely. “We would go for a walk and we’d be lucky to see anybody, whereas here there is always someone to chat to.”

The final foundation homeowners who made the big move were Jen and Martin Rees with their black Labrador Jessie, who was also given a special welcome. Jen said the welcome was “fantastic” and that they were delighted to be able to move in.

Merren Bailey

Glenys and Ray Parker “We were just expecting the community bus to pick us up but when the stretch Hummer arrived with champagne we were blown away,” she said. The couple had made the decision to move from their acreage block to be able to enjoy an easier lifestyle and a better quality of life. Jen has Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) which sometimes hinders her movement, so to be on a smaller, flat block with less maintenance as well as situated within a social community was the drawcard. “Even in the short time we’ve been here, our social life has improved with Happy Hour and Movie Night it’s been great,” she said. “I really feel a sense of freedom here that I haven’t felt for a very long time.” Halcyon Berwick Project Director Nicky Guirguis said there had been a lot of anticipation in the build up to this event. “Our homeowners and home buyers are very excited about the start of a new journey for them, especially coming off the back of the COVID pandemic when many people have felt really isolated,” she said. “They are looking for a sense of kinship and to live within a supportive community of friends; it is more than just a home.”

RELAX IN STYLE

Halcyon Berwick is set within a beautiful natural reserve with the lakes and green open spaces in the Stockland masterplanned community of Minta, with safe access to kilometres of walking pathways.

There is a range of architecturally designed, low-maintenance homes to choose from which are all generously sized, thoughtfully appointed and built to flow seamlessly. Each home also comes with a 6 Star Energy Rating, passive solar design consideration, and the option to upgrade to solar. The hub of the community will be the Clubhouse, where homeowners can enjoy facilities such as a cinema, indoor heated swimming pool, billiard room, lounge and dining room, outdoor alfresco and BBQ areas, pizza oven, spa and gym, yoga retreat, community garden, arts and crafts centre, bowling green, pickleball and croquet court, a workshop, kitchen and bar, and even a dedicated dog wash. To visit the display homes at Halcyon Berwick, please call 1800 050 050 or visit stockland.com. au/halcyon-berwick

* Renders are artist impressions only. Subject to change.

HALCYON PROMENADE Promenade is streets ahead