Terence Moyana

Sewing Is The New Chic

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In this day and age of fast fashion, who would have thought 2020 would be the year people rediscovered their sewing machines? COVID19 has prompted a spirit of resourcefulness and the importance of good home economics. People are getting back to basics and helping their communities by making washable face masks and scrubs.

 

Avid sewer, and Seachange Arundel resident Fina Bakker, was hard at work making facemasks for her family and friends during the peak of COVID-19. “I’ve always been an avid sewer and I really like the sewing group we have here at Seachange – it’s very social and good fun,” said Fina. “We moved in here nine months ago and I’ve had more time to sew since. COVID really inspired me to create masks which other people wanted to buy, to my surprise! They went out to family, friends and people around the area.”

 

 

Over the years, sewing has become a near redundant skill, due to our accessibility to cheap clothing and a modern throw-away mindset. However, home sewn clothing is making a resurgence for different reasons than might be expected. In a world where exhaustion and constant ‘busyness’ seems to be the new normal, people are beginning to seek new outlets for creativity and enjoyment during their downtime.

 

Designing and making your own clothing is no longer about saving money, rather, it is a hobby that provides fulfilment and a sense of accomplishment. “I’ve got a niece who is pregnant and wanted to sew something instead of shop,” explained Fina. “She’s been very keen to come over and make something together – it’s a bonding experience and great chance to create something as a team. “I really enjoy creating different pieces and if it’s useable, that’s even better! It definitely is a way to express myself. I’m not very good at painting but give me a bit of material and I’ll make anything.”

 

What was once a mandatory subject in schools is now virtually eradicated from the education curriculum. However, new trends are indicating that one’s ability to create and fix clothing will never go out of style. Google search data reveals a rising demand for sewing classes and indicates that Instagram influencers play a large role in inspiring the next generation to unlock their craft skills. The ability for someone to share their creations with the world are endless through the power of social media.

 

It would no doubt benefit the world around us if we all started to dream and create again… what will you make?

 

Beauty more than skin deep for Val

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Val Glover-Hovan has made her mark on more than 30,000 people over the past 36 years and as one of Australia’s most sought-after cosmetic tattooists, the 81-year-old has no plans to down tools yet! She even makes regular trips to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth to care for loyal clients, some who have been seeing her for more than 30 years. “I remember when I was 50 and a client said, make sure you tell me when you’re going to retire, because I’ll have to have my eyebrows retouched before you do so,” Val said. “I told her, I’ll retire when I’m 60, then when I turned 60 it became 65, then it became 70 and so forth.”

 

 

Homeowners at Seachange are encouraged to keep active, and Val said that is why she made the move from Sydney in Manly, leaving her established beauty business behind. “It took me a long time to make the move to Seachange, but I was on my own and I wanted to be somewhere where people care,” she said. “If you’re in an apartment, people wouldn’t know if you’re dead or alive, but if you’re not out and about at Seachange, your friends will come and knock at your door to make sure you’re ok.” Val said she enjoyed seeing friendly faces from Seachange Lifestyle Resort at her clinic.

 

“I love helping so many people feel good about themselves, even if that means helping women have eyebrows again,” she said. “I believe it’s important to always pretty ourselves up and make the best of what we have. I believe we should put on our makeup and add some colour to the face. Keep beauty alive, it keeps you alive. We are living on the beautiful Gold Coast and it is indeed a place that is divine and attracts beautiful people as well. And I should say, that is what Seachange is all about – beautiful people on the inside and outside.”

 

 

When Val trained as a cosmetic tattooist in 1985 she used a needle in a bamboo stick. Now, more than three decades on, she uses modernised techniques and new equipment that allows her to work on all parts of the female and male anatomy. “It’s a truly rewarding job,” she said. “You have to have a reason to get up every day, be thankful you can, no matter what it is, it will get you motivated and keep you happy.”

 

Even with her optimistic approach, Val said she will retire when she knows she can’t do it any longer. “I’m sensible and I’ll get that message when it’s time to stop, whether it’s because of my eyes or hands.”

 

Always keeping active, Val proudly treats clients weekly at her Southport salon, Cosmetic Tattoo Australia.

 

 

 

What is Pickleball?

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A perfect sport for all ages, pickleball is beginning to make its mark in Australia. It’s truly the ideal for summertime – a combination of badminton, tennis and racquetball.

 

US Congressman, Joel Pritchard, invented pickleball in 1965. After returning from a round of golf, he and a group of friends couldn’t find the equipment to play badminton, so they fashioned some paddles and found a whiffle ball, with that, pickleball was born. And how did it get its name? Legend has it Joel Pritchard’s family dog, Pickles wouldn’t stop chasing the ball and running away with it!

 

Pradella Property Ventures’ Mia Pradella feels as though pickleball was the perfect sport to be added to the variety of options available to residents at Seachange Upper Coomera. “We wanted something both unique and inclusive for the residents at Seachange Upper Coomera and pickleball was the obvious choice.” “Pickleball enables players of all ages to play against each other and stay competitive,” said Ms Pradella.

 

Played on a court roughly one-third the size of a badminton court, pickleball uses a modified tennis-style net, wooden or graphite paddles and a lightweight plastic ball. Not only is it easy to learn, it can also be played at any age. While many of the other popular racquet sports require speed and power, pickleball relies more on finesse. This makes it the ideal outdoor sport for those living in over 50’s villages. Pickleball is a great game to play with a group of friends and also provides fantastic all-round fitness. It exercises all of the major muscle groups and can help improve mobility, balance and agility.

 

So whether you’re a longtime player or a complete novice, call a friend and meet them at the pickleball court. Game on!

 

 

The Rules of Pickleball 

  • The rules of pickleball are similar to tennis or badminton
  • Similar to badminton, you can only score while serving
  • Each game is first to 11, winning by 2
  • The ball must be hit 3 times before it can be volleyed
  • You cannot volley the ball while standing in the area closest to the net
  • All players must serve underarm

 

 

 

Celebrations a breeze for Sue

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What better way to celebrate turning 60 than to have a retro fancy dress party harking from the days of mini-skirts, paisley, flares and beehives? Sue Howie did just that when she booked the Country Club at Seachange Riverside Coomera for 40 guests. “When you’re born in the ’60s and grew up in the ’70s, it seems appropriate to do a ’60s and ’70s fancy dress party,” Sue says. “About 99 per cent of the guests were dressed up, which was a great conversation starter, and we put together our own ’60s and ’70s music list and played it through the clubhouse speakers.”

 

The party was made even more special by the presence of both Sue’s sisters, Ann and Ros. Ann travelled more than 1000km from Mollymook, in NSW, to pay a surprise visit while Ros merely had to stroll down the road to get there. “When Graeme and I were looking to buy into Seachange Riverside Coomera in January last year, Ros was actually paying us a visit while she was holidays from Leeton in NSW,” Sue said. “She came with us to help us make up our minds whether we should buy. Then two days later her daughter Bridget, who lives in Lismore, also wanted to have a look and it was her who suggested Ros could be really happy here too. “We moved here in June and Ros bought a place four houses down from us and moved here in November. Now we see each other every day and we go for walks or swims together. There’s not a day goes by we don’t see each other.”

 

Sue Howie (middle) with her sister Ros (left) and Ann (right)

 

Residents at Seachange are encouraged to use all of the facilities on offer, and have the opportunity to book spaces like the Country Club for private functions. Sue’s husband Graeme took care of catering, starting in the morning and using the clubhouse facilities to pull party treats together. “We borrowed crock pots from all our neighbours and put pulled pork in them and left them to slow cook all day serving them with tortilla wraps and coleslaw and we also cooked roast beef which we served with bread rolls and gravy. It was perfect,” she says. “The country club has awesome kitchen facilities and it made it so easy to hold a fabulous event. What’s more, we even used the Country Club fridges to keep all the drinks at the perfect temperature. “Most people were outside because it was so lovely and we also played barefoot bowls, which was awesome. It really is a great venue for a party.”

 

A ‘Reel’ Community of Women

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When television’s first ‘knitting star’ Elizabeth Zimmermann told her television audiences to ‘knit on with confidence and hope through all crises’ she had no idea nine Gold Coast women would be subconsciously channelling her more than five decades later.

 

Once a week, the dedicated craft group at Seachange Emerald Lakes join together to knit a vast range of items for those in need. Craft group leader Sue Nugent said the ladies have been meeting every Wednesday for five years, always seeking new charities to support. So far, they had knitted more than 3000 individual pieces. “It gives us ladies an opportunity to get together on a project and knit something meaningful,” said Mrs Nugent. “We knit everything from beanies, to penguin and sheep jumpers, to knee rugs and teddies.

 

 

A long-time commitment is making breast cancer bags for the ladies at the hospital. “We have made 1,311 of those bags so far. It’s just a bit nicer for the ladies instead of carrying a plastic bag around with them.  We love the fact that we can make their days just a little brighter in trying circumstances. We also knit for the homeless. We make bed socks, beanies, gloves, and scarves for them.”

 

 

Jeanette Henry, another craft group member, said she and her friends had made 500 purple felt love hearts in two weeks for the SANDS Charity (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Syndrome). “We also worked with Project Kin Dolls, and essentially we made rag dolls with clothes and what was good about the project is that some of us sew, and some of us knit. So, we all coordinated together to bring it to life,” said Mrs Henry.

 

The ladies generously use their time and skills to help the community, each bringing forth their unique knowledge and style to help one another advance their crocheting and knitting abilities. “We are always looking out for one another,” said Margaret Jamieson, one of the craft group members. “During COVID, we did not feel isolated. We felt protected because we had one another here.” Mrs Nugent led the chorus of Seachange fans. “I love living here. It’s like a little village. If something were wrong, you know there would be three people on your doorstep within half an hour asking if they can help,” she said. When asked what a typical day looks like for the ladies at Seachange, Barb Jarrott chimed in to say, ‘we do whatever we like, whenever we want! It is so wonderful’.

 

If knitting, crocheting or sewing is your passion, these ladies will welcome you with open arms — and be prepared for the fun banter!

 

Meet our new sales Consultant at Riverside Coomera – Rhonda Frisoli

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While it is true that Seachange Riverside Coomera’s new sales consultant Rhonda Frisoli has big shoes to fill with the departure of Susan King, she is more than up to the job. Rhonda has worked in the industry for more than 10 years and has a real passion and understanding of it. “I love the industry, the concept and the people,” she said. “This site at Seachange Riverside Coomera is amazing. It’s very special with facilities that are world standard. I like the boutique community. “The presentation at Seachange is outstanding. You can see in the construction of the homes there is real pride with a lot of thought and forward-thinking in the designs.”

 

 

Rhonda said upon completion of development, the resort would have a total of 124 homes, of which 70 were already sold. There are currently 110 residents. “I’ve only been here a short time and I feel like I’ve been here forever. I’ve been so warmly welcomed. Everyone has a story and it’s been great hearing them and meeting new people,” she said. Since arriving, Rhonda’s days have been jam-packed with enquiries and she’s thriving on the fast pace and challenges of her new role. She said she was looking forward to meeting plenty of current residents as well as assisting prospective ones into their new homes.