Enduring romance thrives at Living Gems ‘Happily ever after’ doesn’t just happen in romance novels. A lifetime of love and devotion is on display at Living Gems communities right across Queensland. This Valentine’s Day, homeowners share their photos and memories of their special day. Rod and Janene Griffith Amber by Living Gems 9 March 1974 Married at the Methodist Church, Graceville Rod and Janene will celebrate 50 years of marriage on 9 March. They were married just after major flooding devastated Brisbane in 1974. They can still recall how organisers of their reception at the Boulevard Tropical Gardens on the river at Indooroopilly – where three metres of water had flowed through the reception area and gardens – had to scramble to get the venue ready for their special day. “It poured on the day, and after the reception we only just made it through rising waters to get to the airport to fly to New Zealand for our honeymoon. It’s a day we will...

2023 has been a busy year in our active communities. What a year 2023 has been! Our wonderful communities have had fun socialising and going on travel adventures. But more than that, our homeowners also show great heart with fundraisers and practical support for vital local charities. Last year kicked off to a great start with fresh and modern new branding for Living Gems, along with a new website and the launch of Thrive, a glossy magazine for and about our amazing Living Gems residents, current and future! Over the past 12 months, the beautiful new Country Club at Amber by Living Gems really started taking shape and it won’t be long before it is ready for its grand opening in early 2024. The $10.5 million double-storey facility will become the heart of this lovely community. Throughout the year street parties have been the order of the day as new homeowners were enthusiastically greeted by their neighbours. Lots of friendships have been formed with...

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 [email protected] January Photo Winner You could be our photography winner of the month and have your photo featured here, just like Sandy Gillis from Living Gems Maleny. She sent in this beautiful shot of trees in all of their colourful autumnal glory.Guidelines for submitting your photos Photos must be: Taken horizontally At least 2MB in size Taken by you

Christmas is the time for giving and if you’re stuck for inspiration, Santa’s little helpers have given us a sneak preview of some fun, interesting and practical gifts many will find under the tree this year. Coconut Bowl Gift Set for Two $52.70 Start the summer holidays with a tropical vibe with a coconut bowl gift set for two. The set includes coconut cups, bowls, wooden fork and spoon, bamboo chopsticks and straws. This gift not only looks great, but it is also environmentally friendly! Every purchase results in a tree being planted. So far, Coconutsy has planted more than 1500 trees from the Sunshine Coast to Byron Bay. Available from: coconutsy.com.au/products/gift-set-for-two Festive Spiced Biscuit Candle $59.95 Keep the warm and cosy spirit of Christmas close with a limited-edition festive candle from Glasshouse Candles. The visually appealing packaging by Michelle Pereira gives a hint of the sweet and spicy scent within. Top notes of orange, almond and caramel are balanced by the mid notes of cedarwood, cloves,...

Welcome to another edition of our Resort Round-up. There is never a dull moment at our Living Gems communities with so many activities and fun thing happening all the time. The skeletons came out of the closets, the ghouls were awaiting, and the zombie wait-staff served such delights as ‘chilled monkey brains’ and ‘blood transfusion bags’ at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront recently. The Halloween-themed dinner was in full swing and ghosts, spiders, witches and other frightful characters were everywhere to be seen. The king and queen of the night were named with the voodoo high priestess and pirate skeleton (aka Maus and Kev, the resort managers), taking out the crowns and goblets on the night. Entertainment was by the residents with many taking part in karaoke throughout the evening. The residents of Living Gems Pacific Paradise have breathed new life into their Country Club by making it a hub of artistic expression. Every month they take turns displaying new art, turning the club into an ever-evolving...

This is our last photo competition entry for 2023! Thank you to everyone who shared their wonderful snaps with us over the past 12 months. We’ve enjoyed seeing some fabulous destinations, favourite local spots, macro shots, action photos, best pet shots and lots more from our homeowners. Each month, one winning photo will be chosen from across all Living Gems resorts and featured on the back page of Thrive magazine and shared on the Living Gems Facebook Page, so get your exclusive bragging rights ready and share your masterpieces with us. Send your submissions, with your full name, resort name and where the photo was taken, to [email protected] December Photo Winner Congratulations to this month’s winner, Valerie Cole from Opal by Living Gems in Logan Village. This lovely country idyll is well-known to homeowners, as it is in their own backyard!Submission Guidelines Photos must be: Taken horizontally At least 2MB in size Taken by you

Five tips to get (and stay) fit over 50 Fitness isn’t solely the domain of the young, according to experienced fitness coach Josh Kristenson. “Realistically, I think the over 50s are doing a whole lot more than people in their 30s and 40s. They’re very active,” he said. Josh has worked in fitness for over a decade, as everything from a personal trainer to a competitive body builder. With many years spent developing fitness programs for people of all ages, Josh believes it’s truly never too late to start (or restart) your exercise journey – whatever fitness level you’re working with. Here are his tips for getting fit after 50. 1. Find what you like Fitness is not a one-size-fits-all path. Some of us love a bike ride but hate the gym. Others are all about a group class but not so hot on the idea of training solo. It’s important to find the style of exercise you like, Josh says – because the exercise you like is...

Welcome to another edition of our Resort Round-up. There is never a dull moment at our Living Gems communities with so many activities and fun things happening all the time.   Every month at Amber by Living Gems, a 'street' of residents is nominated to host a Happy Hour function where their choice of cuisine is cooked and enjoyed by partakers. Raffle prizes and the 'Lucky Villa Draw' are part of the night's festivities, with the lucky villa draw prize increasing in value for the next month if the winner isn't present! There was much laughter and a great night of socialising enjoyed at the October street party event. Amber residents also celebrated the arrival of new neighbours Greg and Barbara with a get-together in front of their homes. Welcome to the community, Greg and Barbara! It is amazing how creative our residents can be with last month's card-making session producing some truly delightful cards focused on Christmas. Some of Amber’s homeowners prefer to sit back...

Paddy laps up an active lifestyle At 100 years of age, it might be understandable to want to put your feet up and relax, but not Paddy Gearon from Living Gems Gold Coast. He still walks, does daily push-ups and covers the miles on an exercise bike. In particular, Paddy is making the most of the resort’s indoor heated pool and spa where you’ll find him three to four times a week. “Paddy is an amazing man who is out and about every morning,” said Living Gems Gold Coast Resort Manager Chelsie Steele. “He has always been active as a cyclist and as a walker, but after a few falls, Paddy prefers the swimming pool because he says it doesn’t hurt if he falls over!” A brand-new indoor heated swimming pool and spa opened at the resort late last year and the facility has become a favourite destination for homeowners looking to relax and to keep up with their fitness. “The pool building has brand-new...

Cueing up for sporting spirit There is no doubt about it, men love to get together around the pool table and solve the world's problems over a drink or two at their favourite watering hole. And no doubt a glass will be raised to mark International Men's Day which will be celebrated on 19 November. At Amber by Living Gems, playing pool has enjoyed increasing popularity, according to enthusiastic resident player David Skinner, who has been attending the two-hour Monday sessions since first moving into the over-50s lifestyle resort in March. "While we are waiting for our brand-new Country Club to be completed, more than 20 men from the resort have been getting together from 10am to noon each Monday at the local Logan Village pub which is only about an 800-metre walk from where we live," said David. Although David didn't start the group, an honour that goes to fellow resident Richard Davies, he is a keen organiser of resort outings and events...