As we approach the one-year anniversary of The Banksia opening we catch up with residents Daphne and Nigel to see how they have settled into life at Garden Village Port Macquarie. Daphne and Nigel have lived all over the world originally from the UK they spent 38 years in Brisbane, followed by two years in China and then retiring to Tasmania.
Deloraine: A Rural Retirement
In the year 2000 they undertook the 65km Tasmanian Overland Trek. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the island, and they promised themselves they would return. In 2008, after a three month tour of Tasmania, they decided to retire to Tassie and purchased a new home in the rural town of Deloraine.
Deloraine, with its 3,000 residents and stunning rural surroundings, offered Daphne and Nigel a peaceful contrast to Brisbane’s bustling life. Deloraine was a close-knit community and they became Red Cross volunteers helping in the Queensland floods and Tasmanian bushfires. Daphne’s outreach work included mental health first aid, and Nigel’s engineering background saw him take on planning and operations roles. They were very happy in Deloraine and had a motorhome so they could leave the island during the colder months and enjoy the winter on the mainland in the warmth. But after a few health issues and longer winters in Tasmania, they decided to seek a warmer climate for retirement.
A Coastal Move and Change in Lifestyle
With family on the East Coast of NSW and a grandson in Port Macquarie Daphne spent six months searching online for their next home. A Google search for retirement living led them to The Banksia. They were familiar with Port having holidayed at Bonny Hills and Port Macquarie’s natural beauty, coastal foreshore and warmer climate won them over.
The Banksia checked all the boxes for Daphne and Nigel. Even though they hadn’t given Retirement Villages much thought until they discovered The Banksia, their decision-making process was swift, from their first visit to signing a contract and selling their Deloraine house in a matter of days.
They now enjoy relaxing on the balcony with the world passing by, time with neighbours, morning teas, and happy hours at The Banksia. Daphne takes a daily walk from Garden Village along the Breakwall to watch the dolphins. She also volunteers once a week at Wintergarden offering companionship for Aged Care residents.
Top Features of The Banksia
The couple highlighted some key features that attracted them to The Banksia:
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- Call Bell Alarm Button: The peace of mind knowing that help is just a button press away in emergencies.
- Mahjong Club: Daphne’s enjoyment of playing Mahjong was rekindled when she learned of the Mahjong Club at The Cascades, and she has also initiated a beginners’ group at The Banksia. They also appreciate the organised activities and social events.
- Onsite Modern Gym: Nigel starts his day with a 30-minute workout at the gym, and he appreciates the convenience of having physiotherapy and balance classes available at Garden Village.
- Hydrotherapy Pool: Daphne enjoys the hydrotherapy pool, spa, and aqua aerobics classes, which offer both relaxation and fitness benefits.
- Staged Level of Care: The availability of onsite aged care gives them comfort, even though they hope to stay at The Banksia for years to come.
- Onsite Doctor and Pathology: Having pathology and a GP onsite is a great convenience, especially for those with complex medical histories.
- The Chapel and Christian Fellowship: the couple are members of the Christian Fellowship and appreciate the companionship of shared bible study and the having a small onsite Chapel for meetings.
Daphne and Nigel have embraced changes in retirement a number of times and have now chosen a retirement lifestyle in beautiful Port Macquarie that suits their needs and supports ageing well.
