It’s International Friendship Day on July 30 and at Amber by Living Gems, the humble ukulele and the recently opened Country Club, with its five-star facilities for active over 50s, are bringing people together.   The Country Club features a snooker parlour and games room, heated swimming pool and spa, sauna, games rooms, ten-pin bowling alley, tennis court, and golf simulator. There’s also a bar and lounge, barbecue pavilion, conference room, and cinema with surround sound. Homeowner Larry Clifford, who is a former army signals warrant officer and real estate agent, is loving the Country Club facilities and recently surprised himself by starting a ukelele group about four months ago – having never before played the instrument. “A couple that live in the resort dropped in to see us, and they had a ukelele. After a few drinks they played a few songs and my wife Irene and I really liked it, so we thought we’d get one,” Larry recalled. “I’d been learning guitar for...

From a ‘Christmas in July’ to a Brett Whiteley art show and a tribute to Australia’s iconic princess of pop, Olivia Newton John – there is plenty of things for Amber by Living Gems homeowners to attend in Logan this July!   Get your friends together and check out some of these events near you.   Christmas in July, Friday, 12 July Join in the fun of Amputees Queensland’s Christmas in July delicious two-course buffet luncheon on 12 July. The menu includes a selection of roasted meats, vegetables, gravy, bread rolls and desserts. Enjoy raffles, lucky door prizes, a best dressed Christmas attire competition and more. Bring your friends and family. Cost is $15 each for members and $25 for non-members. When: Friday, 12 July 2024, 11.30am for 12pm start at Ben Matthews Playground Community Centre, 47-55 Ellen Street, Logan Central. RSVP: Monday, 8 July 2024 on 3290 4293 or email [email protected] Visit Facebook   Sundays in the Market Hall at Distillery Road Market, Sundays About 20 minutes’ drive from Logan...

Line dancing is back on the agenda with Amber by Living Gems’ homeowners boot-scootin' right into their impressive new Country Club. “We were in the temporary clubhouse for about 18 months doing line dancing, and then I took over coordinating it when the new Country Club opened,” said Marjie Graham, a former hairdresser who teaches both line dancing and fitness classes at Amber. “I love the music in line dancing and the fact you’re getting in fitness, balance, and coordination is a bonus,” she said. Marjie also runs an aerobic fitness class at the resort and a chair exercise class. There is also another aerobics class that is run, too, so all together there are classes on three to four days a week. Marjie, 81, said she liked to keep moving and loves the facilities and lifestyle at Amber by Living Gems. “I started line dancing about two years ago after trying dances from YouTube. It is very similar to the fitness classes, only to...

LAMINGTONS HAVE BECOME SUCH A FAMOUS CULINARY ICON IN AUSTRALIA THAT WE NOW CELEBRATE NATIONAL LAMINGTON DAY ON 21 JULY EACH YEAR.   Governor of Queensland from 1896 to 1901, Lord Lamington receives credit for creating the lamington, but it is home cooks like Carol McClure, of Amber by Living Gems, who have kept the tradition alive to this day. "Lamingtons are something I have been making since I was a young child and I use a recipe which has been handed down through our family. It's a very old recipe book called the Edmonds Cooking Book from New Zealand," said Carol. When Carol's two sons were young, she would cook the special treats for the annual lamington drives at school and when fundraising for the scouting movement, in which the family was involved. "They are great for when we have visitors and I've also been cooking them for my husband John since we were married 54 years ago. He just loves them," said the...

THE HARD WORK OF AMBER BY LIVING GEMS RESIDENTS, FRIENDS, RESORT STAFF, AS WELL AS THE LOGAN COMMUNITY AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, HAS RAISED $3,300 FOR THE QUEENSLAND CANCER COUNCIL. Homeowner Barbara Whiteside was doing the big job of coordinating a Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser for the charity at Amber, however, it unfortunately had to get cancelled when the winter lurgies swept in. “Many of us have either been touched by cancer or know someone who has been, and it’s an important cause with so many homeowners or their families involved in the event’s preparation,” she said. “While the event didn’t go ahead on the day planned as too many of were sick, we still held the raffles and lucky door prizes afterwards to raise money. We had more than 40 generous donations, and it was so pleasing to see so much support for the cause.”

Amber by Living Gems is nearly sold out, with only four homes remaining Amber by Living Gems Sales Manager Tameeka Manson said after just three and a half years, sales at the resort were about to draw to a close. “For buyers who are ready for a simply lifechanging move, this is the last chance to buy a brand-new home. It’s so exciting to see Amber by Living Gems almost fully sold and to have the privilege of watching this lovely community come together over the past few years,” she said. In addition to two premium single-storey homes, two exclusive double-storey homes remain – the 230.45 sqm Stanley design. The single-storey homes offer options for two and three bedrooms and between 186.69 sqm and 239.66 sqm of living space. Designs include the stunning Noosa – which is on a highly sought-after perimeter corner block with a huge yard and gorgeous garden, and the York, a special RV home with a big yard and no...

Sustainability key to a healthy future for all Sustainability is the ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time, and that is exactly what Amber by Living Gems homeowner Sharon Martin strives to achieve every day within her own environment. The mother of six children and grandmother of six, who is originally from Wollongong, south of Sydney, believes caring for the environment and adopting daily sustainable practices, is the greatest gift anyone can give to future generations. “We need sustainability for our health and the good of the environment, and taking action now is going to be so important for our children, their children, and families in the future,” she said. Sharon, 58, said practicing environmental sustainability helps to preserve our natural resources and uphold the ecological balance, all while safeguarding the welfare of both present and future generations. “Communities like ours that incorporate sustainable practices can benefit from cleaner water and air, and reduced exposure to toxins, which can ultimately lead to...

It is easy to be green in Logan, with so many sustainability initiatives and green spaces for residents to use! If you’re looking for some inspiration ahead of World Environment Day, we have some options to explore.   Logan Recycling Market If you value the saying ‘one person’s trash is another person’s treasure’, you will probably love the Logan Recycling Market. Enjoy browsing the aisles for a one-of-a-kind treasure. Every sale helps charities in the City of Logan Mayor’s Charity Trust. Items for sale include clothing, bric-a-brac, hardware materials, toys, furniture, appliances, bicycles and building materials. Location: 41 Recycle Way, Heritage Park on Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays from 10am to 3pm, excluding public holidays. Details: logan.qld.gov.au/recyclingmarket   Men’s Shed Men’s Sheds are non-profit organisations that aim to improve men’s health, while working on meaningful projects in the company of others. The Logan Men’s Shed has approximately 30 members ranging from 30 to 90 years old. Location: 21-23 Wharf Street, Logan Village Details: Phone 0402 897 900 or visit loganvillagemensshed.com.au/   Run Group Discover Logan’s...

Amber’s Open Day a big success Amber by Living Gems was brimming with more than 320 visitors and residents at its highly successful public Open Day. The event gave everyone an opportunity to experience the very best of what the resort had to offer, including a chance to view the beautifully appointed two-storey Stanley display home and the recently opened $10.5-million Country Club with its extensive array of first-class facilities. Tours of the display home were conducted throughout the day with participants impressed by the high quality of workmanship on show. On what was a beautiful sunny day, guests were equally delighted with the stunning Country Club and its many facilities, which ranged from ten-pin bowling, a golf simulator and magnesium-infused swimming pool to a luxury cinema and hairdressing salon. Chef Matt Conquest served up a delectable range of sweet and savoury treats, including delicious beef patty sliders which proved a big hit. Guests also enjoyed gelato ice cream, soft drink, orange juice and coffee. Resort...

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...

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...