Shane Cresser

The recent annual club bowls championships held at Seachange Village Arundel, saw everyone ‘bowled over’ by the community spirit.

Boasting 89 members, almost half of the Village residents are members of the bowls club. Some residents are just learning the ropes and have taken up the sport since moving to Seachange.

Former commonwealth games lawn bowls champion, Rob Parrella is a Seachange resident and has been a great motivator for making the bowls club so popular. Seachange is proud to have six pennant bowls players who are residents.

Novice players are given the basics, drills and tips from both Rob Parrella and club member Norm Johansen.

“We run free lessons for the novice players each Monday. Once they feel they can play confidently they join our regular club social games, play in the novice competition and then potentially can move on to inter club competitions,” Rob said.

Novice player, Bob Pamenter who only took up bowling since moving to Seachange won the Novice Singles title at the club championship. He was also a finalist in the Men’s Open title, won by Albert Klaverstyn. Jan Aitken was the winner of the Ladies Open title.

In appreciation of the popularity of the Bowls Club, Seachange Village management assisted in the supply of printed club shirts to all members.

“Our players love wearing their Seachange Village bowls club shirts and take great pride in the team image we present when competing at inter club matches,” Seachange Project Director, Phil Goodman said.

Today’s retirees want to be actively involved in a community and are very open to learning new skills. At Seachange Village, Queensland’s most awarded over 50’s lifestyle community residents enjoy a huge range of social activities, events and classes available at their own five star County Club.

Queensland’s most awarded over 50’s lifestyle community, Seachange Village Arundel, has been recognised yet again in the 2013 HIA Gold Coast and Northern Rivers Awards as the winner for ‘Special Purpose Housing’. This Award recognises excellence in housing design and construction that meets the needs of a specific group in the community.

Seachange Village was recognised in front of 220 industry leaders at the Gala Awards event held at The Glades Country Club on Friday 11 October.

Judges were impressed with Seachange’s huge selection of designs for single level homes that were highly energy efficient and functional yet maximised quality and aesthetics to suit the specific needs of people aged over 50.

The Village has a clear vision to deliver quality housing and lifestyle for baby boomers with attention to detail, flexibility of design to accommodate the evolving needs of residents and development of high quality community facilities.

The centerpiece of Seachange Village is the multi-million dollar five star country club, which includes one of the most extensive selection of social, recreational and educational facilities available in any over 50’s lifestyle community resort.

Seachange development manager, Phil Goodman said this latest HIA award was further recognition that the community was at the forefront of evolving the over 50’s village concept.

“Seachange has found the perfect balance of lifestyle, facilities and security, all set amongst lush, landscaped gardens with resort-class facilities.

“It’s not just the design of the village and the homes that’s makes it so special, it’s the likeminded people who live there which make it so extraordinary – no other over 50’s community comes close to what Seachange offers.”

Residents at Seachange Village Arundel were treated on Saturday night to a concert by renowned performers, tenor Daniel Mallari and soprano Bernadette Fisher.

Their special show “Broadway and Popera to Pavarotti” is usually performed at major theatre venues, such as Twin Towns Club. However the Country Club theatre at Seachange Village Arundel, Queensland’s most awarded over 50’s resort, has proved to be versatile enough to host a major concert performance to around 200 guests.

“When we designed the facilities at Seachange, we did not foresee the community’s social committee would have such grand visions for the Country Club,” Seachange Managing Director, David Pradella said.

“Thanks to the genius of Social Club Coordinators Brian and Diane Dawson, residents at Seachange are able to see top quality shows without even leaving the village,” he said.

“Putting a major event like this together relies on our wonderful group of 110 volunteers, “Diane Dawson said. “Everyone at Seachange works together to ensure events held at the Country Club come together without a hitch. The community spirit is amazing, with every resident bringing some special ability or talent to the Village. Jobs including ticket design and sale, furniture set up, ushers and operation of the bar are all arranged by our volunteers.”

Resident’s comments on the night included, “We have only just shifted into Seachange and I cannot believe these types of shows are on our doorstep. What about the glass of bubbly and the lovely welcome from the Hostesses at the door – what a nice touch” and “My brother is a professional light and sound technician, he has to come to the next show and experience the professionalism of our Seachange Theatre. I could not fault it. We were a little way back in the theatre and I thought we were in the front row.”

Popera is an immensely popular cross-over genre of music that is a fusion of Pop and Opera, giving popular classical music a modern edge and pop music a classical approach in a fresh, exciting and contemporary production.

Tenor, Daniel Mallari is a multi-award winning performer who represented Australia in the USA as winner of the Fast Track to Fame National Talent Search. He has played alongside Rob Guest in the Australian premier of Jekyll and Hyde, the musical.

Classically trained soprano, Bernadette Fisher has been singing since the age of eleven. She has played lead roles in West Side Story and Godspell and performed in concerts alongside Rob Guest. She has also toured Europe and UK as guest soloist with the Sydney Welsh Choir.

Saturday night’s show was the sixth concert style performance held at the Village this year.

Other events held at the 5-Star Country Club this year, to name a few, have included The Biggest Morning Tea, Art Exhibition, Abba Revival Show and The Two Tenors. The next big event at Seachange is the resident’s Melbourne Cup lunch with around 240 guests expected to attend.

At Seachange Arundel Village residents have plenty of opportunity to be “fit, fabulous and over 50”.

Published Gold Coast Bulletin: 21-9-13

By Alister Thomson

 

Colleen Babbag’s decision to move into Seachange – an over 50’s lifestyle resort – came as a surprise to her friends.

At 52, Mrs Babbage who has purchased a $578,580 home at the Arundel estate with her husband Ian, is far too young to retire.

But she said the price and the $178 per week site fee gave her access to far more than just a home.

“My reaction to friends being surprised was that I was buying a lifestyle and not just a house, with a community of like-minded people who like to make friends,” Mrs Babbage said.

The estate, which recently celebrated selling its 200th home, caters for a wide range of activities including aqua-aerobics, movie nights, bowls, woodwork, crafts and much more.

“The range of activities they have you can’t find anywhere else,” Mrs Babbage said.

Mr Babbage works away at the mines and she said it was comforting to know there are a range of social activities she could take part in while he was away.

Mrs Babbage has nine grandchildren and said another attraction was the resort’s child friendliness. She said they could come and play games on the village green or go to the pool.

Although her three bedroom and two bathroom home won’t be completed until February, she said she can’t wait to move into the estate.

On Wednesday 18th September, the State Member for Southport, Rob Molhoek launched Seachange’s most anticipated stage release to date, the Village Green which was attend by more than 160 guests including local media, members of parliament, welcome centre residents and record numbers of prospective purchasers.

The launch unveiled the award winning over 50’s resorts latest stage release which features a Village Green, Anzac Memorial, Community Garden, Community Pavilions and additional BBQ facilities that will compliment the existing 5-Star, 3400sqm residents-only Country Club.

Once complete, the Village Green will form an integral part of the Seachange walking trail. It will connect the village to the neighbouring 78 ha Coombabah Lakes Conservation area, and the 1.8 hectare park which is to be created along the western boundary of the village.

As the State Member for Southport and Assistant Minister for Planning and Reform, Rob Molhoek has been a welcomed guest at Seachange on a number of occasions now and was honored to be launching the new stage, Village Green.

“It’s been amazing to watch the progress of Seachange Village over the years, first as a Gold Coast City Councilor and now as the State Member”, said Mr Molhoek.

“Developer, David Pradella and Project Director Philip Goodman have done a fantastic job at creating a unique, 5-Star lifestyle at Seachange, one that emphasizes the importance of nourishing the communities mind, body and soul, whilst embodying everything our coastal lifestyle has to offer.”

A tremendous believer in promoting the benefits of living an active and healthy lifestyle, the Assistant Minister enjoyed the time he shared with guests on the day.

“I was overwhelmed by the sense of community that shone through on the day and I look forward to returning to Seachange again soon to see what exciting new developments have been made within the community.”

Project Director Philip Goodman said the build-up and hype surrounding the event, was the best he had experienced since the developments inception in 2008.

“We were honoured to have Rob Molhoek give up his time to attend today’s launch and unveil our latest stage release, the Village Green.”

“Today’s successful unveiling of the Village Green, highlights the developers commitment in evolving the community to ensure Seachange maintains it’s reputation as Australia’s best active over 50’s lifestyle community.”

“To top it off, It was fantastic to see record numbers of prospective purchasers attend the launch and formerly register expressions of interests, with 2 homes being sold on the day.

To find out what life is really like living in Australia’s best active over 50’s lifestyle resort, call 1800 652 797 or email live@seachangegoldcoast.com.au and join our residents for a FREE morning tea, held every Friday fortnight in the 5-Star Country Club.

Don and Coral Smith experienced first-hand what life is really like living at Queensland’s most awarded active over 50’s community, Seachange Village, by visiting friends who have been living in the community for a number of years.

Recently, the soon-to-be residents visited Seachange to sign the contracts for their new home and learnt that they were going to be the 200th home buyers at Seachange Village Arundel. To mark the milestone achievement, they were presented with a stunning timber bowl, hand-crafted by fellow resident David Hallett.

Don and Coral first visited Seachange three years ago with friends, however it wasn’t until the start of the year that they realized the burden of their home was becoming too great, and they needed to make the change to a more secure, active and community driven lifestyle amongst friends – before it was too late.

“We went and looked at a number of different over 50’s resorts and retirement villages on the Gold Coast, some of which we already had friends already living in.”

“We had always been impressed with the 5-Star lifestyle facilities that Seachange offered, however being able to experience first-hand how the community of residents interact and bond with one another both on a social and personal level, was a key driver in our decision to move.”

“Our friends of more than 30 years, David and Beverly have been living at Seachange for almost three years now, and we have been lucky enough to have been invited to a number of planned social events, organized by the residents, including bus trips and jazz concerts.”

“We have another one already booked for October and we don’t even move in until March next year, so we already feel comfortable within the community.”

When Don and Coral first visited Seachange, they were amazed that the first person they met and spoke to when they walked into the welcome centre, was a resident.

“I was pleasantly surprised that residents volunteer their time in the welcome centre and take the time to talk to you personally, about their experiences living at Seachange. It gave us piece of mind and was comforting to know how happy residents who live here truly are.”

Another key driver in the their decision to make the move to Seachange, was the location at Arundel, which is positioned directly across the road from Arundel Plaza, offering a selection of cafe’s, designer stores, a Coles supermarket, newsagency and a medical centre.”

“We will continue to visit our local doctors and shopping centres that we do now, however it is comforting for us to know that we have access to public transport and facilities nearby that are important to us if we ever need anything.”

Every second Friday, Seachange residents host a morning tea which allows new guests considering downsizing their home and upgrading their lifestyle, the ability to interact with the residents who live and breathe the 5-Star facilities and community on a daily basis. To join our residents for a FREE morning tea, and to see why over 70% of current residents refer family and friends to live at Seachange, call 1800 652 797 now.