Archives for 2016

Anzac Day is a day that remains the most important national occasion for both Australians and New Zealanders, alike. Seachange Lifestyle Resorts Arundel, through its six committee members are also devoted to the cause of commemorating Anzac Day. These members create the framework of the Anzac Day ceremony held at Seachange Arundel’s Anzac Square.  Mike Wicks, the Chairman of this committee, understands first hand being a veteran himself, the importance of paying homage to the fallen soldiers and in doing so, invite and include the greater community to participate and be actively included in the Anzac proceedings.

This year the Anzac Day Service saw two prominent Gold Coast Schools, The Southport School Naval Cadets and AB Patterson College alongside the West Centenary Scout Group all come together united, to appreciate, pay tribute and to honour the fallen.  Wreathes were laid, heartfelt speeches were delivered and the residents Anzac choir sang with passion throughout the service. On loan from the Gold Coast War Museum were large glass displays of war memorabilia for all to appreciate.  However, during the service itself, all in attendance were fortunate to witness the most spectacular, breathtaking sight and sound of a C17A Globemaster doing a flyover at 500 metres, directly over Seachange Arundel.  All 420 in attendance held their breath in awe, wander and pure amazement as they realised how privileged they were to witness such a prestigious ‘bird’ in the sky, the C17A Globemaster.  What a surprise bonus and auspicious highlight to such a memorable day filled with tradition, memories and moments.

When asking Mike what does the future hold for Anzac ceremonies within the Seachange Arundel community, he very humbly states, “our possibilities are endless and our options are open for the future of remembering our fallen service men and women…they must and will be remembered…Lest We Forget!”

If you have a story you would like us to share we would love to hear from you. Feel free to email us at live@seachangegoldcoast.com.au

It’s official! Seachange Arundel Over 50s Lifestyle Resort is one of Australia’s most desirable residential communities for seniors. This is according to the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) which has placed Seachange in the top two in its 2016 National Awards for Excellence in Senior Living.

The prestigious UDIA National Awards recognise outstanding achievements of high quality urban developments. To be nominated is an honour in itself; to finish as runner-up is testament to the wonderful lifestyle and new benchmark in resort living which epitomise Seachange Arundel. David Pradella is the Managing Director of Pradella Property Ventures, the company behind Seachange, and is thrilled for everyone involved. “We are absolutely delighted and honoured,” David says. “Seachange Arundel is proud to be recognised as the winner of the State UDIA Award for Seniors Lifestyle, which we also won in 2011, because it shows our ongoing commitment to working with the home owners SENIORS’ LIVING 2016 Australia Awards for Excellence Winner 2 Seachange recognised as one of Australia’s best in creating active adult communities which nourish the mind, body and soul. “This recognition is for everyone who lives at Seachange because the residents make it what it is, and we all take the lead from their energy and drive.”

The Seachange experience is clearly one to which likeminded communities should aspire. After all, we have won more awards than any other over 50s lifestyle resort in Queensland, and the UDIA continues to like what it sees. The Seniors Living category in the UDIA Awards asks that particular attention is paid to the needs of residents who have retired or are approaching retirement age.

The projects must present a high standard of overall design, create a sense of place, and offer an environmentally-friendly lifestyle. The judges take into account the buildings, community creation and integration, environmental and engineering considerations, innovation and unique features and landscaping. No less an authority than the respected social commentator and writer, Bernard Salt, had nothing but praise for the quality of the Seachange way of life. And as the person who coined the term ‘seachange shift’, he should know about these things. “In all my years of researching it and writing about it, this is the first time that I have truly seen it in operation,” he said.

A fantastic team effort from everyone at Seachange has helped to shape all aspects of our community. The residents work with Pradella Property Ventures to outline the way forward, such as the Home Owners Committee offering thoughts on the development over the immediate 12 months ahead and also five years into the future. This stems from our belief that a true seachange is not about where you live, but how you live.

With the Seachange Arundel development completing this year and the last homes being sold over the next few months, these are exciting times for our award-winning community. However, the story does not end here. This is just the beginning.

David Pradella, Bernard Salt and Phil Goodman

Seachange residents, “This recognition is for everyone who lives at Seachange because the residents make it what it is, and we all take the lead from their energy and drive.”

From one community to the next! John and Marion Briggs are frequent travellers aboard cruise ships, which is a community on the ocean as opposed from the community they reside in and are a part of at Seachange Arundel.

It’s a no brainer when it comes to taking a holiday on board a ship (not a boat), according to John and Marion who have recently returned from cruising in style on the English ship the Aurora that took them from Brisbane to Okinawa (Japan) via Darwin, Philippines, Shanghai and Taiwan over a three week period. John and Marion are without a doubt living it large, and enjoying the way the way they live.

With the bonus of being able to lock up and leave knowing that their home is secure gives them such peace of mind and in doing so they are able to ‘jump on board’ as in board the ship stress free. That certainly is a clear benefit to being residents within the Seachange Arundel community. John is quick to point out that cruising is a form of travel that is largely based around a community with friendships that are forged through common interests.

According to John, “Akin to living in a community environment- a cruise allows you to do what you want to do with who you want to do it with. Options and opportunities are there to be taken and therefore what you get out of a cruise, is the same in community based living – it is up to you!” When asked about their next cruise, John and Marion are already thinking over their options and plans are certainly in the forefront of their mind. For now they are living the dream and living like they are on holiday each day minus the ‘boat’ and the ocean for the moment, thanks to the community of Seachange Arundel.

John and Marion enjoying their cruise on the Aurora.

Golden couple Sandra and Jeffery Niblett recently celebrated in true golden style their 50th ‘Golden Wedding Anniversary’. So to mark this milestone and very special day in their marriage a celebration with their family and friends was certainly the order of the day.

Long-term residents of Seachange Arundel Sandra and Jeffery both agreed that the obvious choice of venue, for a celebration of this magnitude with 130 guests, was the Seachange Country Club. Little did they realise that the Country Club came with a team of volunteer residents who tirelessly volunteer their help at group functions, before during and after the event.

Guests travelled far and wide from Wollongong, Sydney, Adelaide, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane to help this special couple celebrate their golden wedding anniversary and all thoroughly enjoyed the festivities and were amazed at the community support shown and the definite care provided to everyone to enable the night to be such a success on all accounts.

Guests, as well as Jeffery and Sandra were most impressed with the volunteer bar staff Bob and John for making each guest feel so important and special and nothing was too much trouble for the pair – they truly were an integral part in the success of the night along with Glenn Shields entertaining all throughout the night.

The story of this celebration is not so much the celebration itself but the way and mannerism in which the Seachange Arundel community made Sandra and Jeffery feel so very special. From the use of the venue and under the direction of Brian and Di Dawson who took the stress out of organising such a grand ‘golden’ event to taking care of details ranging from flowers, setting the tables, food preparation and bar service. They were very humbled and for want of a better word ‘gobsmacked’ by the way the Seachange community hosted such a grand golden event, that now holds so many dear memories to the golden couple, Sandra and Jeffery Niblett.

On April 25th, ANZAC Day, every year Australians young and old come together to honour soldiers, their deeds and their wide experience of war, and this is where this story begins. This is the story of a humble, unassuming, yet distinguished and honourable man who has been decorated with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM). Clive Mitchell Taylor OAM, along with his wife, Margaret, are both very active residents within the over 50s community of Seachange Arundel, and have been for the better part of five years.

This Anzac Day (2016), Clive will be leading the 8th Battalion on the march through Brisbane, an honour that is bestowed to few and one that is not to be taken lightly; a role that Clive is very proud to carry out as this year commemorates the 50th year anniversary of the forming of this Battalion. In conjunction with leading the March, Clive is also delivering a speech at the dawn service at The Enoggera Barracks.

Clive within the Army ranks has held a variety of positions from Private to Major. Upon retirement he has been heavily involved with the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia (VVAA) in the capacities of President, Treasurer and Secretary to very briefly mention merely a few of his connections with Ex-Service Veterans. Therefore, Clive is more than capable to keep the connection strong within the thirtytwo (32) veterans that all reside within this community and whom proudly call Seachange Arundel home.

Whilst Margaret stresses that Clive is ‘stepping back’ from his various duties and positions and basic involvement with the VVAA, the community within Seachange Arundel allows him to keep his passion strong and current. Clive finds purpose, strength and friendships through this community and his involvement, that can but only be applauded. Such a proud man, Clive is quick to down play and make light of his association and experience during his enlistment, his commitment with the VVAA and currently his involvement within the Seachange Arundel community. Clearly Clive and Margaret are endeared residents of this community and they proudly call it home and after spending years on the move, Clive takes a deep breath and states…“We are home and we are so happy” at Seachange Arundel.

It is here that Clive remembers every day not just on ANZAC Day, and he will continue to remember, and it is through his lifetime of contributions to Australia through the Army ranks and the VVAA that the younger generation will not forget. Seachange Arundel is so very proud of all Clive’s contributions past, present and ongoing, to Australia and importantly this community

Clive Mitchell-Taylor OAM proudly showing off his service medals

Anzac Day ceremony at Seachange Arundel 2016

Anzac Day ceremony at Seachange Arundel 2016

The Seachange Songbirds in full flight at this year’s Seachange Arundel Anzac Day service.