Arundel

STAYING in the workforce helps keep baby boomer Robert West young.

As a business owner in the construction industry, Mr West works full-time and commutes to his Browns Plains office from the Seachange Arundel over-50s community.

“I enjoy what I do. It keeps me young,” he said.

“While I feel I’m adding value to the business, and it’s not a strain to get up in the morning and go to work, I will keep on doing it.”

Mr West said easy access to the highway, the security of a gated community and good neighbours were reasons behind the decision to move to Seachange Arundel about six years ago.

The 64-year-old maintains a healthy lifestyle, with a trip to the gym or a 25km bike ride a regular part of his morning exercise.

“We are definitely more active (than previous generations),” he said. “I look back at my mother and father, and how they were. Then I look at the environment we are in now, and I see 80 year olds – I hope I’m still that active when I’m 80.”

Mr West said Seachange was close to important services, with a shopping centre, doctor, dentist and hotel all across the road.

Before moving to Seachange Arundel, Mr West and his wife rented a unit at Kangaroo Point in Brisbane, but were glad they decided to buy into the Gold Coast over-50s community.

“Living in a unit, you never really see people, and it is an insulated environment,” he said.

Read more about how baby boomers continue to work in their golden years here.

FORGET retiring into the sunset – baby boomers are continuing to work and build wealth well into their golden years.

A National Property Research Co study, commissioned by Pradella Property Verntures, found the baby boomer demographic, aged 49-68, attache considerable self-value to the workplace.

The study used figures from a 2012-2013 Australian Bureau of Statistics survey of retirement intentions, which found almost 70 per cent of people aged 45-69 were working, with 46 per cent full-time and 20 per cent part-time.

The study found many residents in over-50s villages continued to be employed and, as a result, accommodation options needed to recognise more active lifestyles pursued by baby boomers, as well as provide an employment-friendly destination.

Pradella chief executive Phillip Goodman said this trend could be seen at the Seachange Arundel over-50s community, where he estimated 40 per cent of residents were still in the workforce.

“The current people moving in all want to work into their 70s; they want to reamin active, and they certainly understand they have worth to society,” he said.

Mr Goodman said while residents had a diverse range of occupations – from bus driver to psychologist – they had things in common.

“They like the fact the community is secure, they know their neighbours, everybody is an owner, they like to be able to go away, and come back, and know the community is there,” he said.

 

Mr Goodman said residents had more time for work and leisure because living at Seachange Arundel removed “the burden of the home”.

“We maintain the grounds,” he said. “You only have to look after your home, and all the homes are brand new. You can use the pool, facilities, bowling green, and you don’t have to clean them.”

Mr Goodman said baby boomers were more demanding than past generations, and generally had more experience in property.

“They are a much wealthier demographic, and one that has taken the time to know what they want,” he said.

Read more about Seachange Village residents in the workforce here.

AWARD winning over 50’s community Seachange Village Arundel has unveiled its new village green, designed to provide the community with an open air meeting place where residents can celebrate public events or indulge in physical, social or spiritual activities.

The village green has been planned to facilitate and respect the ways in which residents experience and use the area with friends and family.

It features an intimate Zen garden for meditation, yoga and Tai Chi, allowing the residents to nourish their mind, body and soul; a community pavilion for intimate private or social gatherings; two separate BBQ areas for social family or community gatherings; a community garden for green fingered residents; large grassed areas for recreation, exercise and the grandchildren to play; a state of the art wellness room; and sparkling pool.

Seachange Village Arundel Project Director Phil Goodman officially launched the facility at a free community event for both residents and guests on February 12. The launch featured well-known local entertainers the Two Tenors and the community’s local choir the Seachange Songbirds.

Local councillors William Owen-Jones and Rob Molhoek MP were guest speakers at the event.

“I had the pleasure of being part of the Council that approved the development of Seachange and it is great to see how the Village has evolved over the past few years and the sense of community that has emerged,” Mr Molhoek said.

“The village green is a wonderful place for residents of Seachange Village Arundel to meet, relax and socialise,” Mr Goodman said.

“They can read a book, practice yoga, share a Sunday picnic with their neighbours or enjoy an invigorating dip in the sparkling new pool.

“The new facilities will help residents stay active, healthy and engaged and enjoy a vibrant lifestyle at Seachange Village Arundel.”

Mr Goodman stated the village green was driven from a desire from residents for more open space and areas for intimate social gathering with family and friends.

“The Village Green will compliment the already exceptional facilities available, which includes our 5-star country club,” he said.

It’s the time of the year to deck the halls with boughs of holly, or in this case, strings of fairy lights. Over 300 residents and invited guests enjoyed the Christmas spirit at Seachange Arundel’s annual Christmas Lights celebration.

Over the month of December, the five star Country Club and many homes were decorated with festive themed lights in an impressive demonstration of community spirit at the gated over 50’s estate.

On a clear Saturday evening in December, residents, their families and invited guests strolled through the exclusive Seachange streets before adjourning to the Country Club to vote for prize winners and soak up some other types of Christmas cheer!

Children faces lit up with joy at the variety and types of decorations and they were also able to have their photo taken with Santa.

Phil Goodman, Seachange Project Manager, presented Christmas hampers to the prizewinners, including “Best Home”, “Most Artistic” and “Best Street”.

Seachange Arundel has a very active social committee that arranges many regular and special events.

Christmas Lights is only one of many events planned by residents to help celebrate the festive season. Last Friday’s Happy Hour featured a monster raffle with a huge number of Christmas inspired prizes; including hams, turkeys, cakes and puddings. A Christmas Day lunch and free New Years Eve party will also be held. Street parties are also being held over December.

MANY people will remember TV weatherman Brian Bury, who injected a unique energy into his role with Channel 9’s Today breakfast show throughout the 1980s.

For Mr Bury, presenting the weather was more than reading a set of forecasts, it was a chance to have fun, and he was known for the wacky bow ties, coloured glasses and crazy antics he used to spice up his reports.

Mr Bury and wife Margaret now call Seachange Village Arundel home, having moved in recently – for the second time.

The two were living in the over 50s community when they decided to move back to Sydney, but nothing in the southern state could compare with what they’d loved about Seachange, and when a chance rose to return, they seized it.

“We thought we could move to a similar village in Sydney but could not find anything that even came close,” Mr Bury said.

“Seachange is unique and something very special.”

While Mr Bury admitted to missing his television and radio work, he said the couple enjoyed an active lifestyle.

“Seniors are vital in the community and have so much to give,” he said. “My advice to them is don’t let yourself become isolate. Get into an over 50s active community and make the most of this exciting period of your life.”

Mr Bury started out in radio at age 16 and was a weatherman with Today from 1982-1991, retiring in the late ’90s after some time at Channel 7 and with Brisbane’s 4BC radio.

In addition to the friendly community at Seachange, the couple love their Gold Coast location for another big reason – you guessed it, the weather.

Seachange Village Arundel opened in 2009 and comprises architecturally designed two and three-bedroom homes, of which 25 per cent remain available, ranging in price from $374,000 to $687,000.

The five-star Country Club, the centrepiece of the community, includes social, recreational and educational facilities, with a function room and bar, gym, cinema, library, billiards room, computer room, workshop, art room, indoor heated lap pool, spa, sauna, large outdoor pool, lawn bowls and floodlit tennis courts.

The village is opposite the Arundel Plaza Shopping Centre, as well as the Arundel Plaza Medical Centre and Arundel Tavern.