CHRISTINE MALLET FROM GEMLIFE HIGHFIELDS HAS FOUND MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL NEW HOME, SHE HAS FOUND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY SHE’S ALWAYS LONGED FOR.
When we caught up with Christine, she was in the middle of putting together her outdoor setting in her new GemLife home. She says she likes being organised which is no surprise after retiring from a career in administration.
“I was always organised, but not everyone else was,” she joked.
Christine knows exactly how long she has lived at GemLife Highfields. “Three months and eight days – that’s when my life changed very much for the better.”
After a relationship break-up Christine was considering her options.
“I hadn’t decided whether I wanted to buy a little home somewhere in town or perhaps a unit,” she said. “My sister suggested I look at GemLife Highfields. I told her I didn’t think an over-50s resort would be right for someone like me, but I went anyway and met Jenny (GemLife Highfields sales consultant Jennifer Rickwood) and I was sold immediately.
“The homes I saw were absolutely beautiful and as a solo woman, I like the idea of a secure community, especially one that’s so close to everything I need. I can take my dog and walk to Highfields shopping centre and go to the newly built library, not to mention walking all around the resort.”
Christine has spent many years living in the Toowoomba region and was pleased to find somewhere so close to the area she loves. Toowoomba is only a quick trip down the highway from Highfields.
“I have an amazing community,” she said.
“Everyone who lives here are more than neighbours. In other places I’ve lived, you have neighbours, of course, but you’d rarely see them.
“It’s different here, everyone is really friendly and aways willing to stop to have a chat. One week when I was moving my bins up to the front for collection, it took me nearly an hour. I timed it! And that’s because you couldn’t go more than a few metres before you bumped into a friend who wanted to have a chat. There are just so many lovely people around.”
Living at GemLife Highfields has given Christine the opportunity to do the things she’s always wanted to do but has never had the time or encouragement to pursue.
“Painting is something I’ve always wanted to try but I never thought I had any aptitude for it, but everyone here is lovely and encouraging. I’ve improved! Now what I’m drawing looks like the subject I’m trying to draw!” Christine laughs.
“My sister asked me recently how I was getting on living at GemLife Highfields and I told her that I’m busier now than before I retired! There is always some activity going on whether it’s movie nights or functions at the country club.