GEMLIFE OVER-50s LIFESTYLE RESORTS ATTRACT PEOPLE FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE INCLUDING MANY ELITE SPORTSMEN AND TOP ATHLETES.
Graeme Robertson
GemLife Woodend over-50s lifestyle resort is home to former Australian rules footballer Graeme Robertson.
A defensive ruckman from Kangaroo Flat in the Bendigo Football League, Graeme began his sporting career by joining the Under 19 Carlton squad.
Three years later in 1974, wearing the number 37 guernsey, he played his first senior game with Carlton against Collingwood.
Graeme, who stood tall on the field, also played for Richmond in four of six seasons including being the ruckman in the Tigers’ finals campaign in 1977.
After leaving Richmond in 1981, he spent three seasons with Port Adelaide before teaming up with other ex-Carlton AFL players in the Cheetahs basketball team.
Glenn Joyner
GemLife Pacific Paradise will have its own resident professional senior golfer soon when Glenn and Carolyn Joyner move into their new home at the over-50s lifestyle resort.
Glenn has spent most of his life since the 1980s playing in major golf tournaments in Australia and around the world against some of the sport’s greats including Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus.
His career has seen him amass an impressive 151 wins worldwide.
“I played for twenty years before taking on a coaching position at Yarra Yarra Golf Club in Melbourne for five years. Then at the age of 47, I joined the professional seniors golf tour and life is just as hectic as ever, but I’m loving it,” said Glenn, who is currently ranked at number three in the Australian Legends Tour.
Wayne Parks
Champion clay target shooter Wayne Parks is looking forward to calling GemLife Tweed Waters over-50s lifestyle resort home.
Wayne, who grew up on a farm, took up the sport at 18 and was a member of the Wonthaggi Clay Target Club in Victoria where he worked his way up to the top AA grade and won a state title.
His biggest triumph was at the Fifth World DTL Championships held in New Zealand in 2002 over three days. Wayne competed against about 420 international competitors and took home the
top trophy.
“I couldn’t believe it and am still pinching myself all these years later,” said Wayne, who has also competed in international competitions in England and
South Africa.
Wayne and his wife Janis are now spending time honing their skills on the bowling green, a sport in which Wayne won a singles championship at the age of 14.
Jim O’Dea
Renowned Aussie Rules footballer Jim O’Dea and his wife Christie are looking forward to moving into GemLife Pacific Paradise over-50s lifestyle resort on the Sunshine Coast.
Jim grew up near Moorabbin, Victoria and played Aussie rules football for Noble Park during his school years.
In 1967 he joined St Kilda and played 167 games in the Victorian Football League (VFL) from 1967 to 1980.
“I was only 18 when I first tried out to join the team and had thought about playing for the Richmond Aussie rules squad too as they were close to where I lived but St Kilda liked me and offered me a deal I couldn’t refuse,” said Jim, who was a key defender who usually played across half back.
After retiring from his player role, Jim coached St Kilda Under 19s and reserves teams and was a board member of the club during the early 2000s.
He remains a huge St Kilda supporter to this day.