Joining in the festivities to mark Bolton Clarke Bribie Cove retirement village’s 20th anniversary on Bribie Island in Queensland’s Moreton Bay, was one of its first residents.
The local community turned out in force to join the celebration on 13 September, which included vintage car clubs, a petting zoo, dancing and family fun and birthday cakes.
“I was a widow when I moved here so was on my own, but I still wanted to get about and do some travelling. I found having a house and all the maintenance and general upkeep was more than I particularly wanted to do,” Rita said.
“I originally just wanted an apartment, so I didn’t have the worries of a freestanding home, and I looked at apartments from Hervey Bay right through to Brisbane.
“I wasn’t happy with any that I looked at but when I walked into what is now my villa here at Bribie Cove, I thought this is just perfect.”
The close proximity of the village to doctors, banks and local shopping centres as well as having the ocean right around the corner all added to the appeal for Rita.
“It was my first venture into living in close proximity to neighbours, but the early residents were a very active group and we soon made firm friendships,” she said.
“I have never regretted coming here because it’s been a good place for me to be and has continued to suit me even now as I’m losing my sight because in the time I’ve been here, I now know where everything is.
“It’s been a feeling of security that we know there is residential aged care here but if anything goes wrong, you know that’s the next step in our lives.
“It’s interesting too because we have all come from very diverse backgrounds and being a part of the village has brought us together.
“I always said that I’d go somewhere when I turned 70 and then I wasn’t going to move again, and it’s proved a very, very good decision.”