5 minute read
RETIREMENT LIVING
HAVING come from a property in rural Queensland, Robert and Lesley Thompson (pictured) are enjoying life at Halcyon Nirimba, located within Stockland’s masterplanned Aura community.
“We are very grateful every single day we live here and it has far exceeded our expectations, even though they were high,” Lesley said. “That’s our philosophy though. There’s so much here to enjoy.”
The couple decided to make the move from their acreage property in Kilkivan, near Gympie and were drawn to Stockland as Robert once worked for the company.
“We loved living at Kilkivan,” Lesley said. “But we knew we would have to make the move as there were no medical facilities nearby and as you get older that is a consideration.”
Robert added: “And when we saw it was Stockland building the community, we knew it would be good.
“We said, ‘this for us and if we’re ever going to do it, now is the time’.”
The couple recently celebrated their first anniversary at Halcyon Nirimba, which has access to more than 200km of walking and cycling paths connecting homeowners to shops and facilities.
“It’s been a wonderful year and community living is great because you have the option of joining in with activities or other events and groups,” Lesley said. THYME Lifestyle Resorts are helping people over 50 right-size their home and quickly settle into a neighbourhood where they feel welcome and can connect with like-minded people in the community.
Robynne Mathers (pictured) is social club coordinator at Thyme Moreton Bay and has experienced first-hand the social benefits of owning a home at Thyme Lifestyle Resort.
“Having access to these social activities is so important to bring us together, fostering relationships and keeping our minds and bodies active,” she says. “Our social calendar is jam-packed, we have so much happening that we only have midnight on Sunday free. It’s great because there really is something for everyone, and it’s an opportunity for all to be involved, should they wish to.”
On the doorstep is a community filled with luxurious resort facilities which promote a socially active community.
Each lifestyle resort has a range of luxurious facilities which can include a swimming pool, spa, art and craft studio, gym, cinema and bowling green.
While the opportunities are endless some of the activities on offer include painting, movie nights, tai chi, aqua aerobics, line dancing and barefoot bowls.
A socially active community also
And for Robert: “It’s nice to have people around you as you can be with them when you choose and we all have fun, but then you can have peace and quiet when you want it as well.”
The couple have two sons in Brisbane and a daughter and granddaughter living nearby on the Sunshine Coast.
Lesley’s sister and her husband are also moving to the community.
“They will be in a different street to us, but we get along really well and love spending time with them,” Lesley said.
The couple agree that it will be great in future years to have family support and care for each other so close. Call 1800 050 050 to organise an inspection of the community facilities and display homes. means that you get to know your neighbours.
“We’re a relatively small community so it’s great getting to know people and staying connected with others,” Robynne says. “We all look out for each other and there’s a huge amount of support shared between us. For me, it’s great seeing everyone together and helping each other out, almost like one big family.”
An additional benefit is the financial gains. There are no entry or exit fees and no stamp duty, council rates, body corporate or strata fees payable. You also get to keep 100 per cent of any capital gains achieved on your home.
Thyme Hervey Bay has 2-bedroom low-maintenance homes now selling from $438,000 in the latest stage release. Visit thyme.com.au, call 1300 585 882
GEMLIFE GEARS UP FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
GEMLIFE is all charged up to get its over-50s lifestyle resorts “future ready”, embracing innovative, sustainable ideas and practices, including making its communities electric vehicle friendly.
Among key initiatives currently being considered are electric vehicles (EV), according to GemLife renewables and energy director Mark Langdon.
“At GemLife, we are keen to make our future over-50s lifestyle resorts EV-ready with such innovations as EV chargers and a transition to electric resort buses and cars, as the current fleet reach the end of their service,” he said.
The news was music to the ears for future GemLife Palmwoods homeowner, Susan Fredrickson, who is a strong supporter of everything eco-friendly.
“What this fabulous over-50s lifestyle resort company is doing for the good of the environment is trendsetting, and I support it 100 per cent,” she said.
“I plan to buy an electric car later this year and have requested a charger point be installed in my garage which will save me so much money compared to petrol vehicles.”
While her personal experiences of driving an electric vehicle are still ahead of her, she said a close friend had driven from Melbourne to Canberra and it had Future GemLife Palmwoods homeowner Susan Fredrickson. only cost $16 to recharge it for the trip making it both cost-effective and good for the environment.
“The biggest outlay will be for the vehicle itself although they are gradually coming down in price and there are more of them on the market with models now available from Tesla, Mini Couper S, Volvo, Mazda and Toyota Rav,” she said.
The EV initiative has also been applauded by former Australian rally driver and now EV dealership owner, Rob Ogilvie who said that creating the infrastructure for EVs was setting a great example for others to follow.
GemLife Palmwoods offers premium recreational facilities and beautifully designed, low maintenance homes, created exclusively for the over-50s. Call 1800 317 393 or visit gemlife. com.au
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