Arundel

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,

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.

Hervey Bay has lost its shine as a retirement hotspot according to Graeme and Janet Douglas, who left the town to move into an over 50’s community on the Gold Coast.

 

The recently retired couple have moved into the 150^th home in the multi-award wining Seachange Village Arundel after looking at almost every over 50s community from Brisbane to the NSW border.

 

Graeme says Seachange was the first community they looked at, and each one they saw after just didn’t compare.

 

“The location is fantastic with Arundel Plaza Shopping Centre right across the road a major draw card for us,” Graeme says.

 

“It means we’re close to the supermarket, medical centre, vet, tavern and a number of other specialty stores.

 

“There’s such a huge variety of things to do both physical and social, if they just brought the supermarket over we’d never have to leave.”

 

The couple moved to Hervey Bay from Victoria nine years ago and retired there in 2010, but found it too isolated to be able to regularly see family.

 

“We’ve only been here a few of weeks and everyone within the community without exception is so friendly, including staff,” Graeme says.

 

“In that short time we have more friends to catch up with than we had in Hervey Bay after living there for nine years.

 

“We’ve moved in the best of the best over 50s communities and the only decision we need to make now is what activities to take part in.”

 

Janet says they love the tropical feel of Seachange; the landscaping around the community makes their home really appealing and requires very little maintenance.

 

“We found with other over 50s communities they were mainly all concrete and had very ordinary landscaping,” Janet says.

 

“We’ve always had nice gardens around our home so we wanted to move somewhere that shared that quality, and Seachange certainly does”.

 

Graeme says there’s always something going on at Seachange and they could be up at 6am everyday and have things to do right through until 10pm if they wanted.

 

“One of the best features we found was the number of things for me to enjoy such as the wood workshop, as the other communities failed to cater for male-specific activities,” Graeme says.

 

“The secure environment also means we can head to the country club at night and walk home without any worries.

 

“It brings us comfort knowing that if anything were to happen to one of us, we are surrounded by friends to support us.”

 

Seachange Village’s new stage release unveiled by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate will feature a limited number of the hugely popular Brampton design homes.

 

The Brampton includes a master bedroom with en-suite, a second bedroom that can be used as multi purpose room or study, a powder room, open-plan kitchen, and living area plus single lock-up garage with an internal entrance to the home.

 

Seachange Village is offering all buyers who purchase off the plan a saving of $7,500.

 

With 16 homes sold in just six weeks, secure your future by free-calling 1800 652 797 or visiting the Welcome Centre at 299 Napper Road, Arundel.v

Our residents are hosting a Morning Tea on Friday 3rd May and would like you to meet them. You will have the opportunity to ask them how living at Seachange has changed their lives. Join them in our stunning 5-Star Country Club and discover that there are more sports, hobbies and recreational facilities here than you can imagine! Discover how Seachange’s Award Winning Village could enrich your lifestyle in 2013.

Register Today!

Morning Tea – Friday 3rd May 10.30am.

Phone toll free on 1800 652 797 or (07) 5667 2500

by Wednesday 1st May 2013

Entry is via the Main Entry, 299 Napper Road, Arundel.
Dial ‘1000’ then press the ‘Bell’ symbol to gain entry.
Follow the signs to parking underneath the 5-Star Country Club

The new stage of Driftwood Park recently opened by Mayor Tom Tate features our popular ‘Brampton’ design. The Brampton represents exceptional value as prices start at $369,000 with all of the five star inclusions that Seachange Village is renowned for. The layout includes 2 full bathrooms along with the 2 bedrooms and single garage, and the architecturally designed street appearance with quality landscaping adds to the appeal. Couple this great value home with the 15 million dollar clubhouse and the opportunities for a lifestyle change are endless.

While here, take the opportunity to view the ‘Newport’ display home. With 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a double garage this home represents good value and is sited close to the 5-Star Country Club.

Come to the morning tea and find out for yourself why people love living here. Looking forward to having you visit Seachange Village.