Archives for 2016

There is something magical about walking through streets where rows of houses are all glowing with Christmas cheer. Both Seachange Emerald Lakes and Arundel communities are filled with stunning Christmas lights which twinkle and sparkle making it easy to see the magic of Christmas and the warmth of the holiday spirit amongst all residents.  When it comes to holiday festivities, decorations and good cheer the residents unite, don’t hold back and certainly don’t disappoint.

“It’s all a bit of fun.  The resident’s homes with displays and decorations are without a doubt a fantastic way to bring people together and celebrate the festive season, according to Seachange Arundel resident Nadine Swanney.”

Many resident’s family and friends from both communities joined together, over the weekend to celebrate and recognise the winners for the house light decorations.  Whilst some residents get into decorating more than others everyone is on board.  Clearly the residents were all so impressed with such a variety of displays ranging from contemporary to traditional lighting all highlighting the festive time of Christmas.  According to Seachange Lifestyle Resort’s CEO Phil Goodman, “it simply just gets better and bigger each year.”

It is wonderful to see the greater Seachange community embrace the Christmas spirit through such fabulous light displays and congratulations to the winners for spreading good cheer with their festive displays.  For the second year running Rob and Nadine Swanney from Arundel took out first prize with Emerald Lakes resident Yvonne Cole-Davidson claiming the coveted People’s Choice award for the second year running as well.

Arundel festivities went off with a bang, Santa and Mrs Clause made an appearance as well as Mr Balloon Man who lit up the Children’s smiles. The Seachange Songbirds also performed to the delight of resident’s and their families and friends. The resident’s choir performance at Emerald Lakes filled the room with laughter and cheer with their very witty and clever rendition of the 12 Days of Christmas at Seachange.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the Christmas lights competition and we wish everyone a very merry Christmas and look forward to a ‘bright’ 2017.

And the Winners are:

ARUNDEL:

Best Home: (Prizes 1st, 2nd & 3rd) 

Villa 327 (Rob & Nadine Swanney) – 1st

Villa 51 (Connie & John Glover ) – 2nd

Villa 9002 (Jennifer & Paul Shepherd ) – 3rd

Best Street:  St Tropez

 

Mr Balloon Man

Brian Dawson as Santa’s helper

The Seachange Arundel Christmas Elves

Community Manager Tony in front of the Seachange Arundel Country Club Christmas Tree

Nadine and Rob Swanney

The Seachange Songbirds performing Christmas Carols

The festivities

It was a full house at the Seachange Arundel Country Club

 

Seachange Lifestyle Resort residents at both Arundel and Emerald Lakes are putting the ‘Griswalds’ to shame with a dazzling display of Christmas lights and cheer that is lighting up the neighbourhoods, with all residents feeling the spirit of Christmas.

It is purely and simply magical to see street after street twinkling and shining with such animated lights.  The community within Arundel turned on their lights on the 27^th November with such excitement. ‘The Songbirds’ choir were singing the goodies and the old time favourite Christmas Carols and around the streets bell ringers were contributing to the festivities.  Streets were blocked off to cater to the various street parties where kids frolicked, sausages sizzled and corks popped!

Emerald Lakes turned their lights on the first weekend in December.  Clearly the spirit of Christmas is evident within the Seachange Community at Emerald Lakes.  Last year’s winner Yvonne Cole-Davidson says, “there is always room for lights at Christmas and it is lights that enable me to share my love of Christmas.”  Residents at Emerald Lakes have well and truly found their Christmas spirit, through not only decorating their homes but also their buggies as well, creating such a festive atmosphere full of joy and good cheer.

Every year the number of homes decorated increase as does the decorating of houses and streets making the greater Seachange Community come to life with all residents living it large after dusk.  “Seachange is a very close knit community so it is important to do all we can to celebrate and enjoy the Christmas festivities together,” according to Arundel resident Dorothy Nies.

This year the Seachange Arundel Social Club organised three different events for the purpose of raising funds for a great cause; the Queensland arm of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.  The three diverse events allowed the community to be proactive in raising both awareness and funds for increasing life expectancy and improving the quality of life of patient’s families and carers in respect to Prostate Cancer.

Residents opting to be involved stood together and all got behind this fundraising in various ways.  The men proudly grew moustaches and in doing so sought out sponsorship to have their moustaches shaved off. A resident Colin Howard, himself, proudly raised $325 for growing and shaving his moustache, stating, “I am passionate about the cause.”

A lunch, with entertainment sponsored by Seachange Lifestyle Resorts, and a large raffle comprising of 52 prizes, also proved to be popular with 260 residents in attendance.  Residents Beryl and Bruce Ackroyd actively supported and enjoyed all three fundraising events especially the ‘Lions Den’ show, which was their personal highlight.

The Lions Den Performance

Without a doubt the ‘Lions Den’ show proved to be most popular with approximately 300 residents and their family and friends in attendance, singing along, toe tapping and getting caught up in the energetic and vibrant show. The fusion between fundraising for such a worthy cause and entertaining a mass audience enabled for an emotionally charged memorable event held for an unforgettable and important cause.

According to Brian, “hosting such three diverse fundraising events for such a worthy cause was a no brainer.”  Both Brian and Di have found fundraising for Prostate Cancer to be both fun and more importantly so very rewarding.  “The cause clearly struck a chord within the community with a sell-out crowd to the final event, raising a staggering record sum for $13,310,” as Brian so humbly stated.  The Seachange community certainly are not sitting in silence- they are making a difference the best way they know how, by uniting as one!

Colin Howard raised much needed funds growing his ‘mo’ pictured with Julie enjoying the Lions Den show

Di and Joy at the box office

The sell out crowd at the Lions Den show

The Lions Den performers

Fundraising and giving back to the community is high on the agenda at Seachange Lifestyle Resorts Arundel.  With the continued commitment and support from the greater Seachange community led by the very capable duo of Brian and Di Dawson, the not for profit organisation – Rosies, received invaluable support and generous donations totalling $6000, this year.

Seachange Arundel held two fundraising events for Rosies, our friends on the street, these events included the Ladies Sewing and Craft groups organising a market/craft day and also hosting a morning tea. The sales from both of these events went directly to Rosies.  In addition, a variety show was held with full production costs being sponsored by Seachange Lifestyle Resorts and an anonymous supporter, enabling all ticket sales from the show to go directly to Rosies. According to Brian, “the sheer joy of fundraising on behalf of Rosies by all in attendance of the show made for a fun and rewarding event with the majority of money raised going to the Rosies Gold Coast branch.”

Both events were very successful in not only providing awareness but also an avenue for fundraising through superb fun and entertainment for all.  The connection Seachange Lifestyle Resorts has with Rosies is invaluable as the Seachange community continues to acknowledge and provide unconditional support and friendship to such a worthy cause.