You could say that at almost 92, a man has earned the right to put up his feet and take it easy in retirement, but not Living Gems Toowoomba resident Robert Hickin who likes nothing better than to keep active and fit while tending to his beloved front garden.
Robert, who was one of the first residents to move into the resort six years ago, nurtures his stunning front garden where he grows beautiful flowers like petunias, phlox and calibrachoa, every day.
He started his garden the moment he moved in and has no plans of slowing down.
“I just love gardening so I thought I would put in a few plants and it continued from there,” Robert says. “I love colour so I keep planting more and more and have a dripper system that slowly waters the garden to not waste water, because I hate to waste anything.”
The locals have certainly noticed Robert’s garden.
“They compliment my garden and say they love looking at it every time they pass,” he says. “It’s not the best time of the year because it is autumn right now but it does stay lovely all year round nonetheless.”
Robert says there’s not much growing currently with the season change, but he is already preparing his spring planting plan for maximum colour effect. He had an acreage in Withcott before moving to Toowoomba, so a garden is a must for him, and it is important that it is well taken care of.
“I use a mixture of slow-release fertiliser that has organic matter in it which works a treat, and I also spray regularly for bugs as they are a bit of a pest.”
“I also have a chook in my garden,” he says in banter. “Not a real one but she guards my garden.”
Gardening isn’t all Robert loves at the resort.
“I do line dancing and put my name down for the Sunday dancing which helps keep me fit,” he says. “I love it here. The entertainment and good meals and especially the people.
They are so friendly and look out for one another and it’s just a great place to retire.”
“It is really lovely here and together with my therapy garden and friends I have made, I enjoy everything I do.”
