Celebrating 30 years of island living

Pictured: Bill and Daphne Eaton, Heather Patterson and Norma Collins, who have lived at Bolton Clarke Bongaree since it opened.

Bolton Clarke’s Bongaree Retirement Village said cheers to 30 years on Saturday with residents gathering for a celebration of the village’s history.

Marking the occasion, on August 13, were guests including members of the Bribie RSL Women’s Auxiliary and original residents Norma Collins, Bill and Daphne Eaton and Heather Patterson.

Norma says after 30 years she still thinks the move to Bongaree was the best decision she and her late husband ever made.

Chose off plan

“We had 20 years together here, and we really enjoyed the life and the people in the community,” she said.

“My husband chose the unit off the plan and we came down after church every Sunday and watched it being built.

“We have been in the same unit ever since and even now at 93, I’m still in love with it.”

Daphne says she wouldn’t think of going anywhere else.

“At the time we had come to Bribie and we were living in a caravan park. We were very happy here and we had no plans of going anywhere,” she said.

“We were approached by the RSL Women’s Auxiliary to see if we would like to come to Bongaree as residents.

Centenarian club

“It doesn’t seem that long ago! I can still remember every detail from the day we moved in.”

Daphne’s husband Bill said it’s the place he wants to be when he joins the Centenarian Club.

“I could get to being 100 here! I’m 98 now and we will be celebrating it here,” he said.

Then and now - pictures

The celebration in the community hall recognised the history of the Bongaree Village’s role in supporting local communities, including its important ties to the Veteran community.

Members of the RSL Women’s Auxiliary, which funded the building of the four first homes in the village, helped cut the cake.

Today, Bolton Clarke Bongaree has 50 homes, a community hall, swimming pool and care takers unit.

Celebrate

Village manager Sharon Rodgers was this year named a finalist in the LASA Retirement Village Manager of the Year Awards.

“It is my pleasure to be able to celebrate with our residents,” she said.

“Not only to acknowledge 30 years since stage two was completed, but to be able to celebrate with existing residents who are still living independently in their units.”