Terence Moyana

Every music lover’s dream – a mecca library of vinyls.

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Graeme Howie is a true music lover, amassing an enviable collection of more than 3000 vinyl records over the past 15 years. The act of collecting vinyls can be incredibly personal. For Graeme, he loves collecting boxes of records and treating it like a ‘lucky dip’ and exploring the different genres of music. “When I first started collecting, I used to go to garage sales and pick up boxes of about 100 vinyls for 20 bucks,” said Graeme, who recently bought a brand-new home at Seachange Coomera Riverside with his wife, Sue. “I like everything, but I love the 70’s and 80’s.”

 

Recently, Graeme played lawn bowls with a friend who gifted him 200 records that were sitting in her garage. “I scored Skyhook’s Living in the ’70s & Ego Is Not a Dirty Word. I have wanted those records for ages,” said Graeme, chuffed. “I bought her a bottle of wine, of course, to say thank you.” It wouldn’t be a classic collection without some of the greats such as Abbey Road by the Beatles, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, and even some Boney M.

 

“One of my favourite vinyls is a misprint of AC/DC,” said Graeme. “A misprint has the same songs on both sides; it’s pretty cool.” Graeme is still setting up his collection after moving to Coomera Riverside to be closer to their family. “I want every vinyl to be in alphabetical order. It could take me days. It’s a task that will require a lot of care and attention,” said Graeme.

 

Listening to vinyls on a turntable is a truly timeless experience as it offers a different appreciation for melodies and sounds. “Nothing quite compares; I just love the sound of records,” said Graeme. “I actually have a record player with a USB port, and I can download the vinyls onto that and listen to them in the car, that’s how much I love the sound.”

 

The novelty of owning a record player and throwing on some classics transcends through generations. “I set my niece up with a turntable and a few vinyls, and she thought it was the best thing ever,” said Graeme. “She now has her friends over all the time, and they just listen to the vinyls while drinking wine.” Vinyls don’t go out of style as they have a collectible and nostalgic quality to them, which nowadays is a rarity and something of which Graeme is most proud.

 

If you are fortunate enough to run into Graeme, it’s definitely worth asking to see his incredible collection and getting lost in music history.

 

Honouring His Royal Duties 60 Years On

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Ever wondered what it would be like working at Buckingham Palace for the Royal Family? Michael Heath, 78, knows the palace’s ins and outs, being a footman from the ripe age of 18. “My father had a friend who was a Page of the Presence, and that’s how I got the job working as a footman,” said Mr Heath, who now lives at Seachange Lifestyle Resort Emerald Lakes.

 

Mr Heath fondly remembers looking outside his bedroom window one day, which was located on Buckingham Palace’s top left-hand corner. “Someone spotted me through the window, and before I knew it, a crowd of people waved at me, and I waved back. They probably thought I was a Royal waving at them,” he joked. He witnessed the most extravagant and fabulous parties with many royals and famous people in attendance during his tenure.

 

Honouring his code of conduct even 60 years on, Mr Heath remains tight-lipped on his experience at the palace. “I am always cautious of what I say because you know some things are very personal, and I wouldn’t like to be known as a person who told their secrets,” he said. The modest former footman made it clear that honesty and politeness are the essential qualities that can get you very far in life and your career. “I like to think I have a bit of an effervescent personality, that seems to get you very far too,” said Mr Heath.

 

After his stint at the Buckingham Palace, Mr Heath worked at the American Embassy residence at Regents Parks, working alongside multimillionaire and publisher of The New York Herald Tribune, Mr John Hay Whitney. Mr Heath said he would never forget the time Mr Whitney’s wife spent £35,000 on Christmas decorations from Harrods, which is the equivalent to £820,000 (almost $1.5m Australian Dollars) today’s money. Mrs Whitney had some unusual requests. “She had her sheets ironed every night before bed because she didn’t like creases in the sheets,” he said.

 

After working as a footman for many years, Mr Heath worked in a Soho coffee bar, called “Act One Scene One”. “I had the Rolling Stones come into my coffee shop, even Tommy Steele,” said Mr Heath. Mr Heath has been fortunate enough to travel worldwide for work; he even lived in New Zealand after joining the Merchant Navy. He now enjoys an active yet quieter life at Emerald Lakes.

 

“I love living here at Seachange. I enjoy the community as I am very sports orientated,” he said. Mr Heath and his wife, Sue, enjoy playing trivial pursuit with other residents of Seachange. “Our only downfall is when they start asking questions about Australia,” he said. “But after being in Australia for 14 years, I am now starting to get better with those answers.”

 

Seachange Arundel home owner Dorothy Hodder is off to the World Ballroom Championships

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Seachange Arundel Resident Dorothy Hodder was featured on the front page of the Gold Coast Bulletin recently as she prepares to compete to in the World Ballroom Championships in Britain in May.  Congratulations to Dorothy,  she is an inspiration and we are lucky to have her as a part of our Seachange Community.

Full article from the Gold Coast Bulletin below:

AN 80-year-old dancer discovered by a former Dancing With The Stars judge is on her way to competing in the World Ballroom Championships in Britain in May.

And Dorothy Hodder is totally unfazed by what lies ahead.

“It doesn’t matter if I come last,” she said. “At least I will have danced with some stars and I will love the experience of being on that dance floor.

“I am not all nervous.”

To make Mrs Hodder’s entry even more impressive, she will be competing in a glamorous ball gown made entirely by herself.

“It’s hot pink with silver lace and covered in Swarovski crystals,” she said.

“I’ve already spent two weeks working on it and it will take me another couple of weeks to finish it.”

The grandmother of three – who last danced in her twenties in New Zealand – was discovered by dance judge Mark Wilson, a five-times Australian dance champion and Dancing With the Stars judge from 2004-2010.

She and her husband Thomas had moved from Christchurch to the Gold Coast in 2013.

The couple settled at Seachange Arundel but two years later and after nearly 54 years of marriage, Mr Hodder passed away.

“A neighbour asked if I would be interested in doing ballroom dancing,” Mrs Hodder said.

“She had no idea I had done it before and we went to a class with Mark Wilson, who was a judge on Dancing With The Stars.

“I made sure I stayed right at the back of the class, but half way though it Mark came over to me and asked me to dance with him.

“He said I hadn’t lost it – even though I hadn’t danced for 50 years. That’s a long time.”

Mr Wilson encouraged Mrs Hodder to dance in competitions again and put her in touch with professional dancer Daniel Buckley, who at 32, is nearly 50 years younger than her.

Last year, the pair won a competition at Toowoomba and they are now practising four times a week in preparation for the over-71 age group at the world champs.

“I also go to the gym twice a week,” she said.

Mrs Hodder is no newcomer to dance, having done ballet and tap as a child and then ballroom dancing from the age of 15.

She and her dance partner Brian Jones went on to become New Zealand ballroom and Latin American dance champions, representing their country and competing in Australia.

“I retired at the age of 28 and I hadn’t dance since.”

Mr Wilson was effusive in his praise of Mrs Hodder: “She’s a most inspirational woman – she’s been a good businesswoman, looked after her family and has a great sense of humour.

“She has a never-say-die approach to life and we’re blessed to have her in our lives.

“She has huge talent – you don’t go to the world champs if you don’t have it.”

Dorothy Hodder, far left, with friends Valarie Maudsley, Caroline Wood and Rebecca Mudgway Photo: Regina King.

 

Having a good time while doing good at Seachange

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A huge congratulations is due to the hardworking social committee and all home owners at Seachange Emerald Lakes who raised over $3000 for the Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Service at their Australia Day Party and Buggy Parade over the weekend.  Seachange are very pleased to support this spectacular effort by adding an extra $1000 to the tally, taking the total donation to just over $4000!

The day was an overwhelming success with not only a huge donation to a very worthy local charity, but a fantastic time had by all who attended.  The morning began with the raising of the Australian flag, followed by a parade of elaborately decorated buggies led by the Mudgeeraba Rural Fire Service truck.

The party continued in the Country Club with a lunch of delicious Aussie grub including pies and mush peas, Pavlova and lamingtons, with bush poetry readings and entertainment provided by “Washboard Stu and the Jugalugs”.   All in all the day was an excellent example of a community coming together to have a good time while doing good.

Seachange are extremely proud of our home owners at all of our resorts who regularly manage to combine giving back with having a great time.  Evidence shows that helping others is actually beneficial for your own mental health and well being.  It can help reduce stress, improve your emotional well being and even benefit your physical health.  The opportunity to join in to wonderful events and occasions such as these is one of the many benefits of being a part of the Seachange Community.

Practising Yoga at Seachange

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One of the benefits of making the move to a Seachange Lifestyle Resort is the ability to join in the program of activities and events on offer.  An activity that that is popular with home owners at all Seachange Resorts is Yoga.  The list of benefits of yoga for over 50s is nearly endless.  Practising yoga regularly can improve balance, moderate pain, increase flexibility and even improve sleep quality and fight depression.

Not quite convinced? Here are some of the other benefits of practising yoga for over 50s

It’s low impact

Many fitness experts recommend low impact workouts for the over 50s because in general these exercises put less strain on joints and bones. Yoga is a great example of a low impact workout – it’s gentle enough but still offers some cardio and lots of excellent resistance training and stretching to help build and improve muscle tone.

It can improve your range of motion

Practising yoga just a few times a week can improve your flexibility and range of motion, something that’s particularly important as we get older. Our range of motion naturally declines as we age and carries the risk of greater injury from falls and can get in the way of daily life.

Yoga is a great antidote to that; regular stretching will help improve spinal flexibility and prevent falls by working on your balance – with each class you will be strengthening your lower body, particularly ankles and knees.

It combats arthritis pain

Yoga is an excellent exercise for arthritis sufferers because it promotes strength and flexibility but is still gentle at the same time. Research even suggests it can reduce pain and mobility problems in people with knee osteoarthritis.

 It’s for body and for mind

Exercise of any kind can help improve your sleep quality and relieve stress, and this is especially true of yoga – the practice itself is as much about the body as the mind, and through breathing techniques and meditation, practising yoga can help you deal with stress and anxiety in the process.

Images Below:  Home Owners Practising Yoga at Seachange Lifestyle Resorts Emerald Lakes at a Yoga workshop January 2020.

 

 

$3.5 Million Dollar Country Club Starts Construction at Seachange Toowoomba

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An important milestone will be reached this week at Seachange Toowoomba with the start of construction of the second recreational facilities precinct.  The inclusion of two separate recreational facilities within the resort is a unique feature and one that sets the project apart.

The resort’s first stage of facilities was completed late last year and includes the spectacular Summer House.  This iconic Hamptons style building was constructed by Hutchinsons Builders and was awarded best Commercial Facility up to $5 million at the QLD Master Builders Awards.  It comes as no surprise that the team at Hutchinsons have been appointed to construct the next major facility at the resort.

“Our recreational facilities are the heart and soul of our communities, so appointing a builder that can deliver the quality and craftsmanship that is synonymous with a Seachange Resort is critical.  Having constructed the Award Winning Summer House, we are confident that Hutchinson’s will be able to deliver another magnificent facility for us.” Says Seachange Lifestyle Resorts CEO Warren Harris.

This Summer House is a stunning architectural master piece is already being enjoyed by homeowners offering relaxed spaces to catch up with family and friends.  The building features an extensive library, coffee lounge and games room which flows out to a BBQ pavilion and fire pit that overlooks the heated swimming pool and tennis court.

The second Country Club, affectionately referred to as the big brother to the Summer House is located in the premium position on the resort at the end of the Main Boulevard overlooking Adams Park.  The Country Club continues the Hamptons theme seen in the Summer House, but is a more formal in its finish and feel.

Stepping through the entry of the Country Club you will feel like you are entering a private members club with a built in fire place, stone feature wall and plush interiors creating a cosy and welcoming environment.

The bar area and deck overlooks the resorts bowling green whilst the main dining hall with dance floor and stage offers a spacious and luxurious setting for a variety of functions and parties.  The Wellness Centre will have the feel of an upmarket day spa with heated indoor pool, yoga and Pilates room, gym and steam room.  Additional features such as the craft room, work shop and cinema all allow homeowners to continue to explore new hobbies and passions.

With the 2 recreational precincts combined home owners at Seachange Toowoomba will enjoy an unparalleled lifestyle with everything amenity imaginable right on their door step.

Artists impressions of the new facility below: