Shane Cresser

Seachange Village & U3A Australian First

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IN what is believed to be an Australian first, the magnificent new 5-Star Country Club at Seachange Village Arundel now hosts the Moncrieff campus for the University of the Third Age (U3A). IMG_0517 Carmen & sue SpicerU3A2

The arrangement, which sees a range of `learning for pleasure’ courses offered at the over-50s luxury residential resort, has been hailed as a win-win situation for both Seachange residents and U3A members.

According to Seachange community manager Carmen Auer, who brokered the partnership, courses on offer include art, mah-jong, Mexican studies, origami, armchair travel, appreciation of musicals, a discussion group, book club and a weekly jazz jam.

Two of the courses are being taught by Seachange residents.
Planning is underway for water aerobics and yoga to start later in the year.
U3A was founded in France in 1972 and the concept of a self-help community organisation working to improve the quality of life for people in their `third age’, quickly spread around the world.

It arrived in Australia in 1984 and took off on the Gold Coast not long after, thriving as today’s over-50s become more determined to stay active and involved.

Dedicated volunteer tutors giving freely of their time and knowledge have been the mainstay of the movement’s success.

The Seachange Village campus has been set up as part of Moncrieff U3A, which services the northern end of the Gold Coast. It has around 360 members and offers more than 31 different courses from headquarters in Billington Street, Labrador.
Moncrieff U3A president Sue Spicer said the new link with Seachange Village was both groundbreaking and exciting.

“The 5-Star Country Club is the most wonderful building, with incredible facilities that have been designed specifically for a wide range of leisure, craft and learning activities.

“The relationship that has been set up with Seachange really is of great mutual benefit.”
Seachange development manager Philip Goodman said the U3A partnership was a great opportunity for Seachange residents to undertake courses in their own country club.

“The Seachange philosophy has always been for the village not to sit in isolation, but to be part of the wider community,” he said.
“It is great this new link with U3A will enable its members to appreciate the facilities we have created here and to observe the wonderful lifestyle our residents enjoy.”

Bowlers get tips from a master

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CHAMPION lawn bowler Keith Donaldson has led an interesting life…and it’s about to become even more so. bowls
The semi-professional champion bowler has been asked to found the new bowls club at the over 50’s lifestyle resort Seachange Village Arundel.
With 25 years’ experience and a swag of trophies to his name, Mr Donaldson, 61, will also be available to coach residents in the sport, from learners to experienced players.
While players can be assured of some patient, competent and top-line advice from Mr Donaldson, he’ll also be good company in the bar afterwards. This man has yarns aplenty to tell.
In the 1970’s Mr Donaldson, was a champion professional rodeo rider, and in later years fitted a two-year stint training race horses in Thailand into his busy life. He’s also been a champion greyhound trainer.
But, it is bowls that takes up most of his time now and it’s a passion he’s keen to pass on.
Mr Donaldson said he was `blown away’ by the facilities at the just-opened residents’ 5-Star Country Club at Seachange, the beautiful houses, and the whole lifestyle at the resort.
“It’s definitely the way of the future, secure, affordable living where you can spend your time pursuing your passions,” said Mr Donaldson who was stoked to be asked to be the face of bowls at Seachange.
Mr Donaldson said anyone could learn to play bowls and he would have beginners playing pennants in six months.
“Bowls is all about technique and delivery,” he said.
“You don’t need to be physically strong, just able to relax, relate and follow simple rules.”
Mr Donaldson, who won the Queensland Professional Bowls Association finals last year, and who made the quarter finals of the Queensland Open, said bowls was increasingly becoming a younger person’s sport.
“Most of the top players are in the 30 years age group these days, but for more mature players it is a great way to stay fit and flexible,” he said.
“When I meet rodeo riders who were around with me 30 years ago I can see how much bowls has helped keep me active and healthy.”
Mr Donaldson said bowls was also a great source of social interaction and the developers of Seachange had thought of everything when setting up the bowling greens and club room.
Mr Donaldson said whether a beginner or an accomplished player, a professional could pass on valuable tips to improve play.
“It’s going to be great helping to get bowls going at Seachange and I suspect it won’t be long before our own members are competing against other over 50’s resort clubs.
“The great benefit of living in a resort like Seachange is that you could practice your bowls every day.”

Art Makes an Entry Statement

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WHEN artist Glenda Hadfield was researching beaches to inspire the painting she had been commissioned to create for the Seachange Village Arundel 5-Star Country Club she looked around the world. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
“I looked at all the other fabulous beaches like the Seychelles, Brazil and the Greek Islands,” she said.

“But I quickly realised I could not better what we have in our city. Our beaches are so unique and we are so privileged to live here.

“I truly believe there is no other spot like this on the planet, yet as locals we often take it for granted.”

Amazingly, once she had completed her research, Ms Hadfield’s stunning Seachange triptych took the accomplished artist only a week to complete.

The 3.6 metres by 2.5 metres acrylic painting is the first thing visitors see when they enter the foyer of the 5-Star Country Club and is destined to be a huge talking point.

“I wanted to capture the essence, mood aura and identity of the whole concept of a sea-change,” said Ms Hadfield.
“It has been a delight and a privilege to contribute to this project, which is trailblazing a lifestyle for the over 50’s.
“I completely understand that this is a group that no longer has the ‘blue rinse’ mentality of the past and wants to stay active and involved. All power to them.”

Ms Hadfield, who moved to the Gold Coast from Christchurch, New Zealand in 1997, said she grew up surrounded by art.
“My mother was an artist and she drew for me like other mothers read to their children” she said.

An experienced teacher who has taught art in schools, she now runs small classes for adults as well as completing numerous corporate commissions with fellow artist Matthew Schwugier.

Ms Hadfield said she was absolutely delighted when Seachange management asked her to offer art classes to residents.
“I have a unique way of teaching and I can teach anyone to paint,” she said.

” I can guarantee people can paint in a photo realist way in just three months. You wouldn’t believe how easy it is and what a wonderful escape it is.”

Activities Calendar

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Fit right in………be as involved as you like

Seachange Village has a broad range of social activities, arts & crafts and educational interests that residents participate in and organise themselves. Be as active and invloved as you like or just enjoy the country club facilities available to all residents.

Seachange Village is the only over 50’s Lifestyle community that offers exclusive access for residents as a Campus for the University of the 3rd Age. A variety of courses are available and our included on the activities calendar.

A true Seachange in life means changing not only where you live………Its means changing HOW you live.

If you would like to view the current Activities Calendar, please download here:

Activities Calender

Inaugural Seachange Art and Craft Exhibition a special day for everyone

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Award winning over 50’s lifestyle community Seachange Village recently held an Art and Craft Exhibition where the announcement of the winner was far more touching than they could have anticipated.

The recognition of the overall prize winner brought to light a heartfelt connection between himself and the late resident it was named in honour of.

The major prize was the Neil Johnson Perpetual Award, which was presented to 63-year old former solicitor, John Pye, for his handmade sailing boats and plane.

Neil’s wife, Lyn Johnson, said her husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008 and they moved to the secure community of Seachange in 2010.

“In April that year, I approached the Seachange art teacher to start painting,” Ms Johnson says.

“After showing Neil my first painting, he took painting up himself and began using it as a coping mechanism for his illness; but he also happened very good at it.

“Neil’s passion was painting outback pubs. Of his 16 paintings, 13 were pubs. Some he had visited, some he had driven past, others he searched online.

“He even launched a website www.aussiepubart.com.au which is still open today.”

Overall winner, John Pye said he was also diagnosed with cancer and in the time he knew Neil, they spoke about their illnesses and supported each other where they could.

“Not long after I was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a friend encouraged me to try my hand at wood craft and this led to me building my first boat,” Mr Pye says.

“I hadn’t done anything like this before and for the most part it was self-taught along the way.

“When I was named the winner of the Neil Johnson Perpetual Award I was extremely honoured. I was really taken back and it certainly struck a chord.”

Seachange Village resident events coordinator Diane Dawson says paintings, needlework, quilts, craft and woodwork filled the country club on the day.

“Four prizes were awarded at the event, with John winning two of the categories for his excellent woodwork pieces,” Ms Dawson says.

“Best Artwork went to Di King for her acrylic on canvas work, ‘Menindee Lakes’, and the Judge’s Prize went to Helen Leslie for ‘Nigella’, which was also an acrylic on canvas piece.

“In addition to the Neil Johnson Perpetual Award, John won Best Craft/Woodwork for his handmade sailing boats and plane.”

Ms Dawson says it was an exciting day for the 100 people who attended and the entire event truly exceeded everyone’s expectations.

“The displays on the day were just amazing and so diverse, which meant that there was something to suit everybody’s taste,” Ms Dawson says.

“Overall, there was a really good atmosphere, which was enhanced by the string quartet playing tunes throughout the afternoon.”

At the heart of Seachange Village is the multi-million dollar residents-only, 5-star country club, which includes the most extensive selection of social, recreational and educational facilities available in any over 50’s lifestyle community resort.

Seachange Marketing Manager, Daniel Otto said both the quantity and quality of pieces on display was quite overwhelming and proof that Seachange Village delivers on its vision to provide residents with one-of-a-kind, first class recreational facilities.

“The country club provides residents with the opportunity to experience first-hand, any previously undiscovered talents. Very simply, we offer each resident with the education and framework that enables them to express themselves in ways they may not have been able to, outside the village.”

“It is of equal importance to us that we offer all residents, whether working or retired, the facilities and support to continue their life-long hobbies and interests within the secured Seachange community.”

The Seachange, 5-Star Country Club also boasts a performance stage & dance floor, a competition size lawn bowls green, club lounge & dining room, meeting & boardrooms, outdoor BBQ terrace, sports bar lounge and kitchen, croquet lawn, wine cellar and a library.

For more information or to attend a free morning tea, visit the Welcome Centre at 299 Napper Road, Arundel,

Tasmania’s first female accountant says society has come a long way

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Gold Coast resident Rick Sonners was Tasmania’s first female accountant and she stands tall as the achievements of women are celebrated for International Women’sDay.

 

When she was just 17 years old Rick told her mum she would like to be an accountant and her mother responded, “Well why don’t you?”

 

Rick says she was the first Tasmanian female to enter the profession in 1952 and says society has come a long way since.

 

“The men in my course were filled with shock and horror when I entered the lecture room for accountancy with them,” Rick says.

 

“One man didn’t speak to me at all over the four years we were studying together as he was in disbelief that a women was also planning to become an accountant.

 

“At that point, female accountants were unheard of, so I didn’t have it easy.

 

“Right from the start I knew I was going to have to be really good at what I do, because being female was a major drawback.”

 

Rick says working at Commonwealth Bank while she was studying was an excellent start before working the payroll for the Marine Board of Hobart.

 

“I’d landed my first major accounting role at 21 years old at the Marine Board of Hobart where there were hundreds of people on the payroll,” Rick says.

 

“I had a very big responsibility for my age in that role, and I got very involved with all of the unions associated with the different tradesmen on the board.

 

“I was very lucky to be given this opportunity in those days, as I just wanted someone to give me an opportunity.”

 

Rick says after moving to NSW in 1957 to start a family of two kids, she set up her own practice in Sydney in 1965 when her children were of school age.

 

“I did tax and accounting work for a lot of major clients, many interstate, and it was a marvelous experience,” Rick says.

 

“By this point, people respected me as an accountant and trusted me. I was always picking up new clients through word of mouth.

 

“It didn’t matter how big or small my client was, they were all important to me.”

Rick says through her career, it wasn’t always easy being a woman.

 

“You felt like you were getting your head pushed under the water all of the time,” Rick says.

 

“Over the years, however, I saw a great improvement in the acceptance of women in professional roles, and the progress of women.

 

“While I felt like I was fighting to be a part of what was a ‘man’s world’ I knew within myself that it was important to stay feminine and be good at what I do.”

 

Rick is now 82 years old however she only retired from her career a few years ago, just before moving into Seachange Village Arundel in 2011.

 

“I moved to the Gold Coast to be close to my daughter and I love the climate here all year round,” Rick says.

 

“The community here is just brilliant, everyone supports one another and gives a helping hand.

 

“After a long career, it’s a really lovely place to be with such nice and genuine people.”

 

The centerpiece of Seachange Village is the multi-million dollar residents-only 5-Star Country Club, which includes the most extensive selection of social, recreational and educational facilities available in any over 50’s lifestyle community resort.

 

Join our residents for morning tea, freecall 1800 652 797 too book now.