The residential construction team has been powering ahead on the building program at Amber by Living Gems with a record number of settlements taking place in November and more to come this month.Living Gems CEO Adrian Puljich said home construction in Stage Two at Amber by Living Gems – the resort’s final stage - is now nearly 65 percent complete. “With nearly 39 home builds underway at Amber, we remain on track to finish construction around June next year,” he said. “More than 70 percent of Stage Two is now sold out with the resort as a whole 85 percent sold, and we cannot wait for the community to be fully settled in 2024.” 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 also a limited number of special RV-friendly homes available for buyers looking for plenty of space for a caravan, motorhome...

Rod and Janene Griffith are looking forward to their first Christmas as homeowners at Amber by Living Gems over-50s lifestyle resort where they have already signed up to attend the resort's Christmas party."Being in the resort for Christmas is going to be wonderful," said the couple who only moved in a few months ago after downsizing from their Esk property which they called home for about seven years.One of their reasons for moving to Amber was to be closer to their three children and seven grandchildren who are all now within half an hour's drive of them at Willowvale, Loganholme and Greenbank."This will be the first time in a few years that we will all be able to come together as a family on Christmas Day and not only that but we also have a couple of kids' birthdays and graduations to go to in December.Being so close means we can do it easily, without a long drive from Esk,"...

If you’re looking to keep Christmas in your heart, just as Ebenezer Scrooge promised, there’s no better place to begin than in Logan.A Very Dickens Christmas Friday, 8 DecemberAfter last year’s successful event, A Very Dickens Christmas twilight markets and carols returns bigger and better than ever to the Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum between 4pm and 9pm. Featuring plenty of stall holders with unique Christmas gifts, food and live music, don’t forget to bring the grandkids so they can say hello to Santa. Entry is $2.Address: Beenleigh Historical Village and Museum, 205 Main Street, BeenleighFor more information: bit.ly/47dnubu Christmas lunch at Grand Chameleon Sunday, 10 DecemberBring family and friends together for a wonderful traditional Christmas lunch at the Grand Chameleon restaurant on Tamborine Mountain. Experience the authentic flavours of an Australian Christmas with succulent roast pork with apple sauce or traditional roast beef with Yorkshire pudding and pavlova topped with ripe summer fruits for a truly Down Under celebration. Bookings are essential.Address:...

With seven children and 17 grandchildren between them, Irene and Larry Clifford are used to big family occasions at Christmas, especially when they all turn up.It is no wonder that the Amber by Living Gems homeowners make two Christmas puddings each year, a task that is equally divided between Irene and Larry. "It has become quite a competition between us," said the near 40-year-married couple, who previously worked in real estate together. Each home cook uses the same recipe, but the methods differ slightly. "Larry likes to do his the old-fashion way by wrapping it in a cloth and boiling it while I steam mine which I find so much easier. It's quite a competition. We have to buy two lots of ingredients. I've already cooked mine for this year, but Larry still has to do his ... and may the best pudding win!" said Irene. The puddings have become a necessity and are always looked forward to as part of the family's...

Kicking goals with fitness for the over 50sMaintaining 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 experiencesWhen 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...