Kicking goals with fitness for the over 50s Maintaining a good fitness level has been a lifelong commitment for former rugby league player and Amber by Living Gems homeowner Ken Brown, and now in retirement, he has continued his dedication to keeping fit. "I've just turned 74, and I'm determined to keep fit because one thing is for sure, it makes you feel better in body and soul," said Ken, who still plays Old Boys Touch Football each Sunday. His obsession with rugby league began as a schoolboy playing at West Juniors in Red Hill, now the Broncos' training ground. He then played for Mount Gravatt in the Under 14, 15 and 16s before eventually playing in the Reserve and A Grade teams for Wynnum Manly. In 1976 he was headhunted to join the Nerang Rugby League Club on the Gold Coast and that's where he stayed until he was 39. "I'm very proud to say that during my time with Nerang we won the A...

Construction is powering ahead on the $10.5 million Amber by Living Gems Country Club, with work commencing shortly on the building’s recreational area facilities. The classically modern building, which was designed to harmonise with the idyllic semi-rural charm of its Logan Village setting, is currently on track for completion within the first quarter of 2024. Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said the commercial construction team had commenced tiling on the ground floor, and finalising sheeting works on the first level. “I know our homeowners are keenly watching this terrific facility take shape, especially as the building comes into the final stages of construction,” Adrian said. The Country Club is set to become the social hub of Amber by Living Gems’ growing community. From the ground floor lobby area, the building flows through to the main hall complete with dance floor and stage. Also on this level, will be a formal lounge space, cafe/dining area, a fully equipped gym, and hair salon. The ground level of the...

Enjoy some quality time with your mates this November to celebrate International Men’s Day. The Logan region has plenty of places to enjoy. Beenleigh Rum Distillery Enjoy a distillery tour, savour a tasting, then blend your own rum to take home at the Beenleigh Rum Distillery’s rum-blending master class. At the end of the morning, you’ll finish with your own 200ml blend to take home. The cost is $95 per person. Beenleigh Rum Distillery is Australia’s oldest distillery, starting as a bootleg operation on the Albert River in 1884. Beenleigh Rum Distillery is on 142 Distillery Road, Eagleby. For more information: beenleighrum.com.au Kingston Park Raceway Get your motor running at Kingston Park Raceway. This popular go-kart track is a regional institution and features two separate racetracks to suit various abilities. The karts also have onboard computers that log race times and positions, so you can turn it into a real competition with your friends. There are discounts for groups of more than ten. Kingston Park Raceway is...

Grandkids add a precious new dimension Fay and Bob Brodhurst-Hill are the epitome of doting grandparents, and they wouldn’t have it any other way. The couple, who live at Amber by Living Gems, say they are available 99 percent of the time to care for their nine grandchildren who are spread from Eagleby and Redland Bay to Cairns, and aged from five months to 22 years. “We feel so blessed to have grandchildren with whom we share such a special bond. They make our day, brighten up our lives, keep us young and give us this unbelievable adrenalin to go out and enjoy activities together. My heart just bursts at the seams when I think about our beautiful grandchildren,” said Fay. The couple, who are both 68 and have been married for 47 years, care for their grandchildren at every opportunity. “Now that we are retired, we have plenty of time to devote to our grandkids and we couldn’t think of a better way to fill...

Amber by Living Gems’ first-ever two-storey homes have been unveiled, with three stunning design options available. The two-storey homes are the latest innovative design offering from Living Gems, with only one other two-storey design having been built by the group in the past. Amber by Living Gems Sales Manager Tameeka Manson said there were just five homes in total, each boasting three bedrooms and between 230sqm to 233sqm of living space. Located in Stage Two, just a short walk from the Country Club, the double-storey homes – the Bowen, Stanley, and Archer designs - start from $830,000. “Amber by Living Gems aims to match high quality with affordability for our over-50s buyers and these homes are no exception,” said Tameeka. “All day-to-day living needs are met on the main level which features a spacious master bedroom, complete with walk-in wardrobe and double vanity ensuite bathroom, powder room, a designer kitchen, and open-plan living areas opening onto a good-sized alfresco, perfect for embracing indoor-outdoor living,” she...

The recently opened wash bay at Amber by Living Gems has certainly made a splash with homeowners. This brand-new facility is a one-stop shop for cars, caravans, boats and motorhomes. In addition to the hardstand area for cleaning, the wash bay also includes a gantry to make it easier to reach the roof of caravans and motorhomes. And making the inside spic and span is no hardship either with convenient access to an electrical point to plug in a vacuum cleaner for a professional-level vehicle detailing. “The design of the new wash bay makes car washing just so convenient,” said Amber by Living Gems Sales Manager Tameeka Manson. “Many of our homeowners are regular travellers and they are keen to keep their caravans and tow vehicles looking good for upcoming journeys.”

Perpetual travellers always seeking new experiences When Rob and Lisa Newton exchanged wedding vows 47 years ago, the first thing they did was jump onto a plane and fly to Britain. It was the first of many travel experiences the two would share during their lifetime together. “We were kindred spirits in that we just love to travel,” said Lisa. “After our wedding we were bored with our jobs and wanted to live in Spain where we resided for four months with Rob working as a tennis coach and I worked for the Economist magazine. Eventually, we moved back to Britain and then Australia having spent a full 12 months overseas.” The couple said that their love of travel even delayed them from having a family. “It was 15 years before we had our son who is now 32,” said Lisa. Once they had bought a home, had their son and saved up, Rob and Lisa began to travel on a regular basis again. “We would travel...

Residential construction is powering ahead at Amber by Living Gems with 60 percent of Stage Two, the resort’s final stage, now complete. Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said the residential construction team had been pulling out all stops to deliver Stage Two homes as quickly as possible and bring settlement day closer for future homeowners. “There are nearly 40 home builds underway at the moment and, weather permitting, we forecast residential construction winding up around June 2024,” Adrian said. “Stage Two is more than 60 percent sold out now with the resort as a whole 80 percent sold,” he said. “We expect Amber by Living Gems will be fully sold out before the end of the year.” Stage Two has six home design options, each with between 194.4sqm to 210.07sqm of living space, two bathrooms, stunning modern kitchens with walk-in pantries and lovely alfresco areas. There are a limited number of special RV-friendly homes available for buyers looking for plenty of space for a caravan,...

Couple elated with over-50s lifestyle at Amber Steve Urquhart describes the lifestyle at Amber by Living Gems over-50s lifestyle resort as being aboard a cruise ship with all the facilities, but without the rough seas. "Moving here has undoubtedly been the best decision we have ever made, and we couldn't be happier," he said. Steve and wife Bertrina, who are both in their 50s, downsized from a large home at Waterford to move into Amber three months ago. "Although Bertrina is still working, I've recently retired and didn't need the hassle of consistent maintenance around the home as well as the upkeep of the gardens and lawn. We decided we would rather opt for a smaller home in a community like this where all we have to do is enjoy the lifestyle. What could be better?" said Steve. When the couple first stepped foot in an Amber by Living Gems display home, they were pleasantly surprised with what they saw. "We thought they would be quite...

A paw-fect transition for Amber’s newest residents. There are some new four-legged residents on the block at Amber by Living Gems with Spike and Ruby giving their owners Margaret and Roy Featherstone a tail wag of approval. Margaret and Roy recently relocated to Amber from Woodgate near Bundaberg and say that it’s been a perfect transition. “Spike and Ruby are settling in very well,” Margaret says. “Spike is 13 while Ruby is 12 and at their age, I didn’t expect the change to go so smoothly, but the move has changed their personalities and they have reverted to puppyhood, especially Spike. “We had a big backyard, and he was away from the house a lot, but now that he’s closer to us he’s so excited because he has so much to do and the two of them are just changing for the better.” “They play with all their toys now, and they haven’t done that in years,” Roy says. Roy and Margaret ended up getting Spike,...

Massive garage a highlight of new Living Gems home Perennial travellers Steve and Sandy Trevor couldn't believe their eyes when they moved into their brand-new home at Amber at Living Gems a few weeks ago and saw the size of their purpose-built RV garage for the first time. "It was absolutely massive, and our grown kids likened it to an airline hangar," said Steve, who not only parked their 22-foot caravan inside the 10.5 metre garage but also a 200 series LandCruiser and a Mazda 2. "And there was still more room up the back for storage," he said. Backing the caravan into the garage for the first time was a little daunting, according to Steve, who was concerned they needed more space to manoeuvre, but with Sandy at the wheel and Steve giving directions, the experienced travellers succeeded first go. "I don't know what I was worried about," he laughed. Steve and Sandy, who have been married for 43 years, have 28 years of caravanning...