News
Living ‘gens’
Two generations call Amber home
It’s a family affair at Amber by Living Gems with two generations living in the same resort.
Robyn Miners and her husband Kevin Adams recently purchased a home at Amber to downsize and be near Robyn’s parents who purchased at the resort in 2022.
“I’ve been in Queensland for 30 years, with Mum and Dad still living at Cooma in the Snowy Mountains,” Robyn said.
“I never thought they’d move up here but when they put their house on the market, I knew they were serious.”
In helping her parents find a suitable home, they found the best value for money at Amber by Living Gems. Her parents, Daphne and Ken, could move into a brand-new home and not have to worry about maintenance.
Best of all, it wasn’t too far from Robyn and Kevin, or their granddaughter Savannah, husband Lachie, and their fur-baby Digby. Digby used to stay with Robyn during the day while his parents worked but is now...
The big reveal
Amber by Living Gems Country Club unveiled
Boasting just the right balance of design elements which incorporate space, line, forms, light, colour, texture and pattern, the recently opened $10.5-million Amber by Living Gems Country Club delivers the perfect aesthetic blend for the resort’s stylish new social spaces and facilities.
“The design of the Country Club has been meticulously crafted to ensure the fundamental elements work harmoniously to create well-designed interiors that provide spaces that are functional, appealing to the eye, and give a wonderful sense of rest and relaxation,” said Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich.
“Everyone has been watching this amazing venue come together and the finished product is a sight to behold, especially now that the interior design team have finished putting their stamp on it,” he said.
“The mid-century modern-inspired look and feel of the interior, with its rich colours of greens and chartreuse, plus walnut and brass finishes, come to the fore throughout. It’s looking amazing.”
He said every room provided patrons...
Double the lifestyle
Luxury over-50s living in new two-storey homes
Designed for elevated, luxury over-50s living, Amber by Living Gems’ two-storey homes deliver double the lifestyle.
Only five highset homes will be built at the resort, of which two have already been sold, with two design options on offer – the Bowen and Stanley.
Amber by Living Gems Sales Manager Lynda Ruddell said the three-bedroom residences boasted between 230 sqm to 233 sqm of living space and featured a generous array of market-leading standard inclusions.
“Each of these brand-new homes has been designed with quality and affordability in mind, complemented with standard inclusions that are anything but standard,” she said.
“From beautiful kitchens with stylish stone splashbacks, built-in dishwashers and refrigerators to lovely plantation shutters on the front windows, extra-high ceilings and wonderful open-plan living areas, the double-storey homes are sure to impress.”
Located in Stage One, within walking distance of the newly opened Country Club, the homes are priced from $855,000.
The Bowen two-storey display home
Modern, three-bedroom home
...
San Choy Bau Lettuce Wraps
Fresh and savoury treat perfect for autumn
As the cool of autumn starts to feel its way in, there’s nothing quite as comforting as a light yet satisfying meal such as San Choy Bau lettuce wraps, according to Chef Matt Conquest.
“A delightful fusion of textures and flavours these delicious Chinese lettuce wraps promise to invigorate your taste buds,” he said.
This recipe combines the freshness of crisp lettuce with a savoury filling, creating a dish that’s perfect for a chilly evening. Whether you’re looking for a quick and light dinner option or a flavourful appetizer, this easy-to-make dish is sure to become a favourite.
Ingredients
For the mince filling
1 tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
250g chicken mince
1 carrot, finely diced or grated
1 red capsicum, finely diced
1/4 cup water chestnuts, finely chopped
2 tbsp soy sauce
1 tbsp oyster sauce
1 tbsp hoisin sauce
1 tsp sesame oil
Salt and pepper to taste
1 long red chilli, sliced (optional)
2 spring onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
2 tbsp chopped peanuts...
Mum’s the word!
Mother and daughter find fun at Caboolture
When Kerry McDougall saw how much fun her mum and dad were having at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront, her husband asked why they had to wait to join them.
Georgina and David Bailey moved into Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront in February 2021 and Kerry and Roy moved in four months later.
“It was actually my husband’s idea,” said Kerry. “We all lived on acreage properties around Elimbah, and we noticed that the work was getting to be a bit much for my parents, so we suggested downsizing.
“We’ve always been very close, and I didn’t want to be too far away from Mum and Dad, so when we found Living Gems, we were so impressed by everything that was there. The homes were lovely, and the Country Club was impressive.
“My husband said, ‘well, we like the place and we’re considering making a similar kind of move ourselves in five to seven years’ time, so why wait? Let’s...
Frame that shot
Pretty as a picture! Living Gems’ popular photo competition returns for 2024.
We’re looking for creative photographs that showcase why the Living Gems lifestyle is simply lifechanging.
They can be terrific travel destinations, wonderful wildlife photography or fabulous times with friends. Entries open to all Living Gems homeowners.
The best photograph each month will be featured on the back page of Thrive magazine as well as on Living Gems’ Facebook page.
Get snapping! The competition will run until 1 November 2024. Submissions should be sent to content@livinggems.com.au
May Photo Winner
Sandy Gillis reports that wildlife make a regular appearance at Living Gems Maleny. “I’m not sure why this pair of Tawny Frogmouths decided against sitting in a tree, but I was happy to photograph them when the homeowners invited me over for a look.”Guidelines for submitting your photos
Photos must be:
Be taken by you
Be at least 2MB in size
Include the location of the photograph, along with any interesting information about the destination.
In the club
Amber Country Club sneak peek
Construction of the $10.5 million Amber by Living Gems Country Club is nearing completion with the finishing touches on facilities and interior design elements close to being finalised.
Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said the commercial construction and interior design teams were working hard to ensure the Country Club was ready for its 19 April residents’ opening and the 11 May public grand opening event.
“It is all starting to come together now and is looking spectacular,” he said. “The mid-century feel of the interior with its rich colours of greens and chartreuse, plus walnut and brass finishes, are now coming to the fore throughout. It’s looking amazing.”
Adrian said that most of the upstairs areas were finished or close to completion.
“The golf simulator and ten-pin bowling alley are up and running, the library is finished, and the cinema seating has been installed,” he said. “Pool tiling has also been completed and the feature lighting – in the form...
Anzac biscuit ice-cream sandwiches
Enjoy a twist on tradition this Anzac Day
Anzac Day is a special commemorative event with several traditions observed every year including dawn services, coffee and bundy, two-up and Anzac biscuits.
This Anzac Day, Chef Matt Conquest shares some tips on how to make the humble Anzac biscuit even better.
“It’s simple! Just by adding your favourite ice cream, like rum and raisin, you can make great little ice-cream sandwiches,” Matt said.
“You can make a lovely homemade ice cream using the recipe at right or you can buy a good quality ice cream and get your favourite chocolate bar and crunch them up and fold it through your ice cream for added crunch, chew, and flavour and make ice-cream sangas with that.”
Matt says making ice cream takes care and time to ensure a nice smooth texture that doesn’t become icy.
“For a smooth and creamy finish, make an anglaise cream and then freeze it down in a beater bowl and stir it during the...
Frame that shot
Pretty as a picture! Living Gems’ popular photo competition returns for 2024.
We’re looking for creative photographs that showcase why the Living Gems lifestyle is simply lifechanging.
They can be terrific travel destinations, wonderful wildlife photography or fabulous times with friends. Entries open to all Living Gems homeowners.
The best photograph each month will be featured on the back page of Thrive magazine as well as on Living Gems’ Facebook page.
Get snapping! The competition will run until 1 November 2024. Submissions should be sent to content@livinggems.com.au
April Photo Winner
With a rainbow this vibrant, the pot of gold surely can’t be too far away. Phil Parker from Opal by Living Gems took this photo at the resort in leafy Logan Village.Guidelines for submitting your photos
Photos must be:
Be taken by you
Be at least 2MB in size
Include the location of the photograph, along with any interesting information about the destination.
First Amber two-storey home open for viewing
Amber by Living Gems’ first premium two-storey home is now open for viewing.
The exclusive three-bedroom residence, one of only five on offer, was completed last month and features a generous 231.27sqm of living space.
Amber by Living Gems Sales Manager Tameeka Manson said the new Bowen design display home boasted a designer kitchen and an airy open-plan living area which flowed onto a good-sized alfresco space.
“For buyers who enjoy indoor-outdoor living, the main level is perfect. The kitchen is beautiful and comes with a fully integrated fridge and freezer, high quality energy-efficient appliances, stone benchtop, and plenty of storage,” she said.
Also on the main level is a spacious master bedroom, complete with walk-in wardrobe and double-vanity bathroom, and powder room. The alfresco area is also accessible from the master bedroom.
An elevator and stairs lead to the upper level, where two more bedrooms are located – including one with a walk-in robe, a central bathroom, large living area, and a study nook.
“The...
Home and dry
New lifestyle means reconnecting with old friends
Ruby is the traditional gift for a 40th wedding anniversary, but Clive and Inge Gentle are anything but traditional.
The vibrant couple moved into a new home at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront within days of their milestone anniversary.
“I bought Inge a house. And a pub lunch afterwards, because that’s all I could afford!” said Clive with trademark humour. “No, in truth, we were exhausted from moving in, so a pub lunch was easy.”
Even though the couple left the workforce four years ago – Inge worked in retail while Clive worked for Energex – they say it is only now that they’ve truly retired.
“We used to live in Taigum on Brisbane’s northside and had a beautiful place overlooking the creek,” said Inge. “Two years ago, we were flooded and had to rebuild our home.
“After that, every time there was a rain event, I’d watch the creek come up and get very nervous. The last time that...
