ONE OF THE QUESTIONS PEOPLE ASK WHEN CONSIDERING A MOVE TO AN OVER-50S LIFESTYLE RESORT LIKE GEMLIFE IS WHETHER THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE FRIENDS.
“Some people have come from high-powered careers and have had quite a lot of success in life, so they want to know whether they’re going to meet new people and make friends,” said Jo Michalowsky, GemLife Maroochy Quays Sales Manager.
“The answer, of course, is a resounding ‘yes’.”
People from all walks of life call GemLife home – academics, trade professionals, teachers, business owners, IT specialists, and health professionals.
“It doesn’t really matter what their profession was, everyone tends to find that they make friends quickly because they are likeminded and have interests and experiences in common,” said Jo.
“Everyone likes the fact their neighbours are all about the same age – no twenty-somethings revving up cars and playing loud doof-doof music.
“Homeowners are willing to share their expertise as well, so we have a number of residents who are doing things they’ve never done before because of the encouragement and experience of their neighbours.
“And of course, we have so many great facilities here at GemLife resorts, that people will discover a new activity – even if they only play lawn bowls once!”
So, what sort of people live at GemLife resorts?
We take a look in this month’s issue of The Gem.
CAROLE AND ANDREW | GemLife Woodend
Carole and Andrew Turner have only been in their GemLife Woodend home for two weeks, but they have a sure way to make friends – delicious jams, marmalades and preserves!
Originally from Princes Hill, close to the heart of Melbourne, the lure of the country is more than just a tree change for the Turners. The first is family who live in the Macedon Ranges area.
The second is the markets at Woodend where the couple have been regulars for the past decade.
“We’ve been attending the Woodend Farmers’ Market since the first one when they were looking for stall holders,” she said. “My son has a farm in the area.
“We use whatever is in season – raspberries, blueberries, rhubarb – and cooking takes place whenever I’m low on stock.
“Because we know the area so well, we decided GemLife Woodend was the place for us. We haven’t been there a lot because we’ve been so busy, but we are looking forward to getting to know our neighbours – perhaps they’ll visit us at the markets!”
One early convert to Carole’s impressive preserves is GemLife Woodend Sales Consultant Michelle Merrett.
“Once you try Carole’s preserves there is no way you can ever buy from a supermarket again especially with so many unique combinations and options available,” she said. “The hardest part is deciding what to try next!”
Before retiring, Carole worked for 25 years at the Carlton Senior Citizens Centre in inner city Melbourne.
“I have so many happy memories of working there and because of my nursing background, it gave me so much pleasure to help that age group.”
Andrew’s background makes him at home in the country. A veterinarian by profession, he was Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer and in charge of successfully managing an anthrax outbreak with the Animal Health Team in Victoria in 1997.
“Veterinary virology is his special interest,” said Carole. “But now he’s retired, he does help me with the cooking. Andrew and I were making orange marmalade and ruby grapefruit marmalade just this week.”
CHRIS AND CATHIE – GemLife Rainbow Beach
GemLife Rainbow Beach couple Chris Jones and Cathie Weir moved into their stunning new GemLife home a few months back and said they felt right at home from the moment they opened their front door.
“The decision to move from Sydney was spot on for us, and we definitely believe that the Rainbow Beach resort was the perfect choice, Cathie tells us. “Especially when Chris got a job offer with Hy-Tec Concrete & Aggregates.”
“It was quite funny when I realised that I was going to be bringing the concrete into the resort for construction,” Chris says.
While there are days Chris leaves the resort for work, only to drive in with concrete a few hours later in a Hy-Tech truck, Cathie enjoys working from home and hopes to get into more activities within the community.
“I work directly out of our GemLife home doing payroll for outsourced clients, so it’s nice and handy. It leaves me with more time for hobbies, I just need to get into some hobbies,” she laughs.
JOHN AND KAY | GemLife Maroochy Quays
Community means everything to John Hunter and Kay McKenzie, which is why they love the lifestyle at GemLife Maroochy Quays.
Since moving in two years ago they’ve been busier than ever, spending a lot of time on the road – and much of it has been for a very good cause.
“We take part in the Push to the Bush program each April. It’s in its 22nd year and that’s taken us out west to Tambo and Augathella where we talk to the school children about the Anzac story and give out teddy bears in uniform – army, navy or air force,” said John. “Now we’re in north Queensland and have just come into Atherton in our motorhome that also tows our little Suzuki for running about in.”
John was a national serviceman for two years until 1969 as a signaller. As a result, veterans’ welfare has been a driving passion.
After his service, John found a role with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and continued to stay in touch through the Army Reserve.
“When I first started with Veterans’ Affairs, I was working with World War Two veterans, including POWs and the fact that I’d served reassured them they were speaking with someone who understood them.
“I was with the 6th RAR and the battalion is active, so now our association sees veterans from Iraq, Timor and Afghanistan.”
Time in the Army Reserves helped John uncover a new passion – cooking.
“Yes, I was taught to cook in the reserves and finished a small business catering course with TAFE and worked for Queensland Catering, preparing food at Lang Park (now Suncorp Stadium),” he said.
“When I retired, I looked at volunteering with Meals on Wheels and before I knew it, I was back in the kitchen again making meals.”
And it’s also been a great way to make friends at GemLife Maroochy Quays too, as you’ll find him in the kitchen preparing desserts for the local Meals on Wheels as well as helping out at resident-organised functions at GemLife.
MILTON AND DENISE | GemLife Palmwoods
Milton and Denise Reynolds from Palmwoods are not your ordinary couple. GemLife residents since last November, they’ve settled in after a nomadic lifestyle of several years, including a stint in Thailand for four years.
Their passion for travel isn’t the only thing that’s been rekindled.
“I used to race offroad enduros when I was younger, so have always loved fast cars. Years later, my son was managing Lakeside Raceway, so I decided to buy a sports touring car – a Renault Megane and started racing again,” Milton says.
“My son manages Morgan Park Raceway at Warwick now, and we have an old Pulsar SSS that we hope to get on the track soon. I had to sell the Renault due to some health issues, but I am recovering well and can’t wait to get out on the track again.”
“He’s recovering well because he’s got me to look after him,” Denise adds with a laugh.
“Denise is a really good artist and I’m not just talking about her paintings,” Milton banters back. “But her true talents lie in golfing.”
“I’ve been playing golf for 15 years and it’s finally paid off,” Denise says.
“Denise is so modest. What she’s not telling you is that she just cleaned up at the Mount Coolum Golf Club B Grade Ladies Championships. She won the whole competition, even though moving to B grade really hurts her because she used to play A Grade.” Milton says.
“Probably why I’m playing so well now,” Denise laughs.
“I don’t like being B Grade but I’m coming back and I’ll take this win as another notch on my belt.”
Between car racing and golf, the couple – who banter non-stop – have so much to be proud of.
“We had a great family race day event at Lakeside last November,” Denise says proudly. “We made it a family affair for Milton’s birthday.”
“We raced a Hyundai Excel in a four-person team over a six-hour race, and Denise and I drove with our daughter and one of our grandsons and we nailed it,” Milton says.
“That was a great event called ‘Not a Grand Prix’ where you had to maintain a certain time.”
Milton, who when not driving, was a race marshal or pit organiser at events, hopes the fast cars and golf clubs will always be a part of the family.