Linda’s Baileys Malteser cheesecakeWith Mother’s Day just around the corner on 14 May and World Baking Day on 17 May, Caboolture Living Gems Riverfront resident and baking enthusiast Linda Cross shares one of her special secret cheesecake recipes which she says is a cinch to make for the grandkids.“Our granddaughter, Bella, just turned 11 on 30 March, and Sammy, our grandson, is six. Bella’s the wild child of the family, even going bungy jumping for her birthday. She gets her courage from me,” Linda laughs. “I recently ziplined in Perth off the Matagarup Bridge, which is the same height as the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and it was fantastic.”Linda decided to make one of her special cheesecakes with the help of her grandkids, who live close by and visit regularly, as a special Mother’s Day treat for their mum.“I started baking cheesecakes long before my children were born, let alone my grandchildren, so I’ve been baking them for over 45 years,”...

Over-50s lifestyle resort has something for all agesThe multi-generational appeal of Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront over-50s lifestyle resort was a key factor contributing to John Reiter, his wife Carrolyn, and her mother Joy Boyle deciding to move into a brand-new home within the vibrant community."We were lucky enough to have friends living at the resort and when we first saw their new home about four years ago, it got us thinking. We researched the area and over-50s communities in Moreton Bay that would suit all of us and kept coming back to Living Gems. It just had everything we needed, including great facilities and accessibility," said Carrolyn.While very independent, Joy relies on a wheelchair to move around.She found the resort extremely wheelchair friendly, making it easy to access facilities such as the swimming pool, as well as to get around the beautiful gardens and pathways which is something she loves to do with the family’s 14-year-old pet toy poodle."We were...

Caboolture’s Ex-Service Support Group marches on What started as an idea over a drink at a bar has become an ex-service group that Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront veterans are proud of.Founded by veterans Don Grieve, Bob Pfeiffer and Pat Quinlan, the group has 79 members who work together to keep history alive and provide each other with a place to share their stories and offer mutual support.“We established the group in 2021 after having a quiet drink at the Riverside bar, where the discussion came around to how many more ex-service people were living in the resort,” Don said.“I sent an email addressed to all residents inviting ex-service, allied services, widows and widowers and anyone who has an interest in the services to come to a get-together, and I was surprised at the number of residents who came along.”With the assistance of Pat Quinlan, organiser, and Bob Pfeiffer, protocol, the group conducts dawn services on Anzac Day and commemorations for Remembrance...

Aqua aerobics making a big splash with residentsLiving Gems Caboolture Riverfront homeowners keen to keep fit with gentle exercise are getting into the swim of things at Linda Cornell's `aqua fun' sessions, with the resort's pool hosting up to 30 for an hour of fabulous fitness frivolity each Monday."I call it 'aqua fun' because we have such a great time in the pool while, at the same time, undertaking gentle exercise to help gain better fitness and mobility," said Linda, an early childhood teacher who first moved to Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront in 2019.Linda admits to being a long-time fan of aqua aerobics and, although not a qualified instructor, was keen to dive headfirst into the activity when she arrived at the over-50s resort and saw the beautiful pool in the Country Club."I invited others who wanted to have some aqua fun to join me, either to take part or simply to watch, and was delighted with the response.Everyone can...

Take more chances, dance more dances! It’s been 30 years since Baz Luhrmann’s Australian masterpiece Strictly Ballroom first hit the big screen. Debuting on 10 May, 1992, and reaching US on shores 12 February, 1993, this iconic film was digitally restored last year by the National Film and Sound Archive for a special screening at the 75th Cannes Film Festival.We spoke to our very own ‘strictly ballroom’ couple this month, Jim and Sue Thorpe from Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront, about the magic of dance.Jim and Sue have been dancing together for over 55 years and cannot ever imagine stopping.“We’ve been married 52 years. We actually met 55 years ago at a dance in Ballarat, so we’ve been dancing since...” Sue pauses.“Since the 28th of September 1968 to be exact,” Jim finishes for her.“We do what is called social ballroom, old time and new vogue dancing, or sequence dancing, and go to lots of theme nights at our dance club throughout the...

Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront couple, John and Mary Skene, celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary this year. The long-time lovebirds take us on a trip down memory lane.“How long have you been married?”“53 years,” Mary responds.“It’s 54, love, not 53,” John laughs.“Good heavens you’re right John.”It began in the summer of 1967. A group of young women venture to Cairns and secure midwifery positions in the local hospital after graduating nursing from Prince Henry Hospital, Sydney.They start their new jobs, counting down to their RDOs. One of Mary’s friends has family living close by, so they take a roadtrip.“We had days off and Jan and I bought a little Volkswagen and our friend Marilyn wanted to visit her family in Gordonvale, a small sugar town, so we drove her up,” Mary said.Mary tells us that Marilyn’s mother invited them to stay for dinner, and that is when the magic happened.“We were at the dinner table that evening, and I couldn’t stop...

Final Stage’s first home to be completed next month.Construction of Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront’s Final Stage homes is moving full steam ahead, with building underway for all twelve of the premium-site homes.The first home, a stunning three-bedroom design with river and parkland views, will be completed next month (see details at bottom of page).Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront Sales Manager, Glenys Lowry, said contract holders and prospective buyers had been wowed by the home designs on offer in the Final Stage and the wide range of quality standard inclusions.“The feedback we’ve received about the homes’ spaciousness and the lovely outlook along the riverbank has been wonderful,” she said.“In addition, we’ve had a lot of enthusiastic comments about the facilities, plus the friendliness of the residents in the community.”Glenys added that the resort had the advantage of being nestled in nature yet was conveniently close to shops and restaurants.“It’s such a special spot. The resort is located nearby the banks of the...

Close-knit Caboolture crew gets creative.They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront, all the creative craft crew need is great company, diamond dots, paper, wool and plenty of crochet hooks and knitting needles.Gathering within a well-stocked craft room in the resort’s Country Club, a group of talented residents have been running classes every week for several years.But what exactly are diamond dots? Diamond dot co-ordinator, Diane Ramsay, explains.“Diamond dotting is like painting by numbers but using little beads,” she says with a smile.From diamond dotting to card-making, knitting, crocheting, and any other craft they’re interested in, you can rest assured Caboolture’s 'crafters' have a great time creating, and welcome anyone who wants to get a little crafty with them, including men.Diane started the group in October 2021 after visiting family up north where she found diamond dotting therapeutic, especially through pandemic lockdowns.“I was visiting my daughter in Rockhampton for Christmas 2019, and she was...

Managing and overseeing an over-50s lifestyle community isn’t a new venture for Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront new resort managers, Linda and Steve Eddy“Steve and I have been in building management for over-50s communities around the country for the last 16 years,” Linda disclosed.“We moved over from another over-50s company because we love the look of Living Gems – the houses are beautiful, the resort is lovely, and Caboolture was a good option for us to move to Queensland permanently.”Since this isn’t the couple’s first rodeo, they have settled in quickly and are beginning to feel at home.“The residents are so lovely and friendly! The community is extremely active and welcoming, and we have already been invited to lots of events – the residents even put on a little show during one of the parties,” Linda said.“There’s always something to do here. We live it, love it and embrace it!” 

Premium site homes hit the marketThe recent release of 12 premium sites in the Final Stage of residential construction at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront over-50s lifestyle resort has attracted great interest from buyers.“Building has commenced and we have already sold several of these fabulous homes situated on oversized sites which enjoy an outlook over beautiful natural bush, trees and the Caboolture River, which flows 20 metres below,” said Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront Sales Manager, Glenys Lowry.Homes on the resort’s premium riverside sites range from $820,000 to $970,000, and offer three bedrooms, two bathrooms, well-appointed kitchens with walk-in pantry, integrated dishwasher and fridge, ducted zone air-conditioning, ceiling fans throughout, security screens on all doors and windows, plus all the standard, high-quality inclusions for which Living Gems is renowned. Some designs also feature skylights and high ceilings.Established for six years, Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront hosts a top array of facilities including a magnificent country club where residents can enjoy everything from ten-pin...

Always on the search for new ways to have fun, Gayle Harris loves seeing her fellow residents getting out and about and having a great time - especially at their music shows.That’s why last month Gayle locked in two tribute shows, a performance by Mirusia as well as their quarterly ‘Movin and Groovin Morning’. Yes, what very busy and exciting times at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront!Taking a proactive approach, Gayle is always on the lookout for new acts and will chat to the performers directly, forming a wonderful rapport (and often securing a great ticket price). Gayle’s motto is ‘anything is possible if you give it a go’. ‘NIGHT FEVER’ SUCCESS AT THE BEE GEEZ TRIBUTE SHOW What a wonderful evening! The Bee Geez Tribute Show nailed all the hits, from Staying Alive and How Deep is Your Love to More than a Woman and of course, Night Fever!Getting the audience involved from the very first note, it wasn’t long before residents...