News
The ‘happy instrument’ strums up new friendships
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...
Delight in Matt’s Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles
INDULGE IN THE CHOCOLATEY GOODNESS OF CHEF MATT CONQUEST’S HAZELNUT CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES FOR WORLD CHOCOLATE DAY ON SUNDAY, 7 JULY.
Chocolate’s four-thousand-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica (present-day Mexico) where the first cacao plants were found. In 16th Century Europe, chocolatiers added sugar to chocolate to make it the iconic sweet treat it is today. Royals and the upper classes consumed chocolate for its health benefits as well as its decadence.
In 1828, the invention of the chocolate press revolutionised chocolate making. This innovative device could squeeze cocoa butter from roasted cacao beans, leaving a fine cocoa powder behind. The powder was then mixed with liquids and poured into a mould where it solidifies into an edible bar of chocolate.
And just like that, the modern era of chocolate was born.
Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles
20 TRUFFLES
Method
Set aside 20 hazelnuts. Chop the remaining nuts with a knife or wrap them in a cloth and crush them with a rolling pin.
Put 150g of the chocolate...
Places to go with friends this July in Logan
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 admin@afsg.org.au
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Sundays in the Market Hall at Distillery Road Market, Sundays
About 20 minutes’ drive from Logan...
Boot scootin’ at Amber by Living Gems: Line dancing proves popular
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...
Making friends in retirement made easy
Friendships play such an important role in our health and wellbeing, and even more so as we get older.
But what happens when you have reduced options to meet new people – particularly after the busy, socialising years of raising a family and being in the workforce are over?
And once you’ve settled into a routine, it can be difficult to break out and make the move to expand your social circle.
We share some great tips on how to make friends in retirement and increase your enjoyment at the same time.
Top tips for making friends in retirement
One in five older Australians are socially isolated.
Social isolation can lead to increased risk of diseases including heart attacks and strokes as well as harming your mental health.
But it doesn’t have to be that way. In this feature we take a look at ways you can increase your enjoyment as well as the number of people you can call on as friends.
1. Foster existing connections
When you’ve...
Carol keeps lamington tradition alive
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...
Make the most of your post-retirement travel plans
It’s not surprising that many people’s attention turns to taking a big, long holiday as soon as they make their retirement plans.
After all, what could be better than travelling your way, taking months to explore your favourite destinations instead of a few scant weeks limited by your holiday leave entitlement?
That’s the dream but what about the practicalities?
Practical travel tips in retirement
Many people plan their longest holidays early in their retirement with the United Kingdom, United States and Europe the most popular destinations on the retirement travel bucket list.
Travel is still on the list for older retirees with two-thirds of people still intending to take a holiday in the next 12 months with the percentage jumping to 88 percent for those whose retirement income was more than $100,000.
1. Plan in advance of retirement
Before you go running off to the nearest travel agent it’s important to do some planning a little closer to home.
While not as fun as checking out destinations and...
Amber residents gift Queensland Cancer Council donation
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.”
Final homes selling at Amber by Living Gems
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...
Safeguarding the environment
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...
Building beautiful memories
Caboolture residents reflect on seasons of change
Over 46 years of marriage Chris and Judy Reilly have only shifted home three times and they say the move to Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront has been the best.
“We’ve lived in Brisbane’s western suburbs, then moved to Scarborough, and seven-and-a-half years ago, to here at Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront,” said Judy.
“We just love it here and our daughter agrees that it’s been the best move we’ve made.”
The Reillys were among the first people to move into Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront.
“We were still looking for the right over-50s lifestyle community when we put our home on the market,” said Chris. “That sold very quickly – within a couple of days – so we needed somewhere we could move into straight away.”
That led them to Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront which was under construction. At the time, only the entry boulevard and a display home had been completed.
“It was mostly muddy paddocks back then! We had to...
