RETIREMENT LIVING

THE over 50s lifestyle resort sector is about to rise to new levels with highquality homes and a long list of facilities at GemLife’s first over 50s resort on the Gold Coast.

GemLife director and CEO Adrian Puljich, a Gold Coaster himself, said he had no doubt the resort would be market-leading.

“GemLife Gold Coast is sure to set the bar high for the sector, taking over 50s and retirement living to the next level,” he said.

When completed, the resort will feature a luxe three-level country club, a chic outdoor recreational precinct with wellness centre, and a striking pavilion on the site’s highest point.

At centre stage will be a stunning, architect-designed country club.

Equal parts sanctuary and a place to be social, the building is tailored for homeowners to find the balance of fitness, health, relaxation, and fun.

“Residents will have so much choice right on their doorstep. They can unwind and breathe in the fresh air from a poolside cabana, relax with friends in the wine lounge, or work up a sweat in the fitness centre,” Mr Puljich said.

The country club will have a grand hall with stage, dance floor and a IT WAS the rolling hills and lush rainforest setting of Buderim that attracted downsizers Cynthia and Ian Rye to B by Halcyon.

Having lived on property in Woombye, Cynthia and Ian were looking for somewhere to retire where they could enjoy a rich natural landscape without the burden of overwhelming yard maintenance.

“It’s mainly because we had property and we wanted to downsize,” Cynthia said. “It was a tropical rainforest. It wasn’t large but it felt large when it all grew and had to be cleaned up.”

Ian added: “B’s not far from where we were living anyway. We love the Sunshine Coast, and we love nature, so we were surrounded by trees. B by Halcyon has got that, and hills.”

B by Halcyon is Halcyon’s greenest community to date, with an environmentally conscious masterplanned design complemented by almost 6ha of private open space for the exclusive use of homeowners.

“What we wanted was something similar to the property we lived on where we were surrounded by total tropical rainforest, trees and green,” Cynthia said.

“We are on the edge of the swale, which is a dry riverbed about 17m wide. Halcyon has planted around 12,000 plants and trees there so it was like moving from what we had to something similar. We have our own garden, a beautiful big patio and lots of greenery

commercial kitchen for functions and events, bar and lounge, creative studio, library, hair salon, café and an undercover balcony area with outdoor lounges and dining areas.

Upstairs, is a fitness centre with health club, including a fully-equipped gym, yoga studio, indoor lap pool, spa and sauna while the upper-level terrace will feature a stunning infinity pool with sunken conversation lounges, semisubmerged sun-loungers and inviting poolside cabanas.

In addition, there will be a large lounge and games room with a golf simulator, plus a stand-out Sky Lounge, a circular room made of glass with 180-degree views towards the Gold Coast skyline. Call 1800 325 229 or visit gemlife. com.au

HELP AT HAND WHEN THE FAMILY ISN’T

CHILDREN grow up and leave home, and as parents grow older, they can begin to feel isolated, especially when it comes to big life decisions such as downsizing and moving to a retirement village or into care.

There’s a lot to be done, physically and mentally. But if the kids are interstate or overseas and can’t help, then Colomba can.

It offers a comprehensive clearing and relocation service tailored to help seniors and their families. The aim is to give peace of mind for making a home relocation.

With years of experience, Colomba staff can guide you through any nervous or difficult situations and when it’s all too hard, they make it easy. Colomba is also available to assist in deceased estates. During an emotional time, having to clear out a home can be overwhelming.

Choose a package that suits your requirements, and Jeanne at Colomba ensures all property is dealt with appropriately and in a timely manner.

When two sons living interstate were prevented from travelling to assist their parents, Jeanne set up a Zoom meeting to organise the process and and made the transition stress-free for their parents. Call Jeanne 0402 126 157 or visit colomba.com.au around. It’s really good.”

The opportunity to live in a tropical rainforest aside, Cynthia and Ian were enticed to B by Halcyon by the prospect of being part of a community.

“I like people, I’m a real extrovert and I enjoy people’s company,” Cynthia said.

“We’d been here not quite a fortnight and we’d been invited to a street party and a barbecue and met a whole lot of people from our particular street. In our age group, it’s nice to be able to meet people and make friends of your own age and way of life.”

Cynthia and Ian are looking forward to making the most of Halcyon’s easygoing lifestyle, connecting to the community and living a comfortable life together in retirement.

“When you retire and you’ve been living a life of go-go-go and all of a sudden that winds down, you have to have something to replace it with, and Halcyon is certainly providing that,” Cynthia said.

“There’s plenty of things we can do, so it’s giving us a life in our retirement. We can live happily ever after.” Visit lifebeginsathalcyon.com.au

MCKENZIE ALWAYS PUTS FAMILY FIRST

McKENZIE Aged Care Group was founded by a family who saw a need to create an environment that felt like a family home.

The McKenzie family vision – to provide aged care homes that they would be proud to live in – started when sisters Sally and Mary-Ann McKenzie opened their first home in 2001, in Melbourne.

Resident needs still remain the focus at every home so at every stage they truly feel part of the McKenzie family.

“Residents are encouraged to bring personal items to help make the transition into their new home more comfortable,” Sally says. “We want to provide the community with the confidence they need when it’s time to enter aged care.”

McKenzie Aged Care homes are at Buderim, Beerwah, Deception Bay and Bongaree. Call 1300 899 222 or visit mckenzieacg.com