THE ESSENCENovember-December 2019

ENTERTAINERS’ DELIGHTThe festive season is upon us – lucky Palm Lake Resort homes are built for entertaining!

PEOPLE POWER 11,000 residents call Palm Lake Group home – and they love being part of such a likeminded community

AROUND THE GROUNDSIt’s definitely the festive season as the round-up of our recent social event shows!

Many of our Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa enquiries come from people in distant locations right around Australia. If you are coming to visit us from out of town, freecall 1800 885 851 to arrange a resort tour and a complimentary night’s accommodation on us. This offer is subject to availability and conditions apply, but there’s never been a better excuse to indulge in a Sunshine Coast stopover to properly inspect our world-class facilities and welcoming homes.

STAY A NIGHT ON US

The Lord Mayor's Seniors Christmas Parties are an annual tradition inviting seniors to celebrate the festive season at Brisbane City Hall with light refreshments and quality entertainment. The Lord Mayor's Seniors Christmas Parties started in 2000 and have become a popular annual social event for seniors and their guests. Join in at one of the 11 shows held over five days from December 2-6. Enjoy food and drink prior to each show. This much-loved event is refreshed with a new line up every year that features a range of entertainers performing traditional and contemporary Christmas songs. Find the parties at Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide Street, Brisbane. Tickets are just $5 each (which includes a donation to the Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust). To book, phone QTIX on 13 62 46 or head online to www.qtix.com.au

PARTIES SUPPORT CHARITY

If you have any questions about Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa, if you are interested in touring our inspired display homes and world-class facilities, or if you would like to come along to one of our special events, simply contact us!

Freecall: 1800 885 851 Email: salescooroy@palmlake.com.au Find our Sales Centre: 19 Trading Post Rd, Cooroy QLD 4563 Visit: www.palmlakeresort.com.au

CONTACT US

Spring is a wonderful time of year on the Sunshine Coast and we have been in the full swing of spring festivities here at Cooroy-Noosa. We have been enjoying Tai Chi with Chai Tea and Bliss Balls, Twilight Bowls on Wednesday evenings, Friday night Happy Hour, Trivia nights and a night of dancing and fun with our very own residents band Trading Post Street Band. We also held an "In the Mood" event in October for over 250 people which was a great way to spend a Saturday. You can check out the photos from these great events in the following pages.

We encourage any future residents or guests who may like to participate in these events to contact us at the Sales Centre so we can reserve a spot for you. Perhaps you like playing cards or bowls or would like to try out tai chi, tenpin bowling or just want to pop in for a meal and meet some of our home owners. We would love to have you along.

Our spring activity has not just been about bowls and tai chi though. We have a Spring Carnival special with $20,000 off selected homes if you move in before Christmas. So there are plenty of reasons to pop in or give us a call at the Sales Centre. We are open seven days.

Jen Nichols and the Cooroy-Noosa Sales Team

WELCOME

Working with CWA ladies and local businesses, 'Cooroy Scone Time' is reigniting life into our wonderful old Cooroy Memorial Hall and also helping the older generation feel more connected to our local community. The Scone Time movement is inspired by 96-year-old UK resident Georgina, who, with no family remaining, decided to involve herself with a local charity that hosted tea parties for seniors. Organised by local foodie Marin Duncan, Cooroy Scone Time commences at 10am on the second Tuesday of every month (earmark December 10, for your visit) for a nominal charge. To RSVP or receive more information on becoming involved, phone Marin 0473 902 261.

N O V E M B E R - D E C E M B E R E D I T I O N

WHAT’S HAPPENING

IT'S SCONE TIME – HAVE YOU BEEN YET?

This newsletter is intended to give general info only. All liability arising directly or indirectly from the use of, or for any error or omission in the information given, is expressly disclaimed.

CHRISTMAS COMES TO COOROY!

Christmas in Cooroy is a FREE community event with lots of fun activities for the family to take part in. The event is hosted by the Cooroy Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Cooroy and is generously supported by all the many local volunteers and sponsors – including Palm Lake Resort.

Christmas in Cooroy is always held on the first weekend of December and 2019 will be the 15th anniversary of this event – the biggest community-organised Christmas event on the Sunshine Coast. A full program is available online at www.christmasincooroy.com.au but make a note in your diary for these major events:

Friday, December 6 at 6.45pm: The lighting of the Studio Steel Christmas Tree, outside Cooroy RSL, supported by Palm Lake Resort and The Shed Company.Saturday, December 7 from 4pm: All the fun begins at Apex Park with a load of free family entertainment. Saturday, December 7 at 4.30pm: Bendigo Bank Street Parade

STAYING CONNECTED

Here are some of the regular on-site activities we offer here at Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa:

• Walking groups• Aqua aerobics • Lawn & Carpet bowls • Social tenpin bowling• Casual tennis• Table tennis• Billiards• Chair yoga, stretching • Meditation• Tai chi• Mah-jong & Card nights• Movie nights• Residents’ dinners • Bistro lunches• Bus shopping trips• Happy Hour • Milon gym, with PT• Hair appointments• Art classes• Knitting and sewing• Trivia

Wednesdays, 10am: Tap dancing classes

Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 5.45am: Jazzercise classes

To keep an eye on what’s happening at our local hall, visit www.cooroyhall.org.au

NEVER A DULL WEEK AT COOROY MEMORIAL HALL

ENTERTAINERS REJOICE!

They say kitchens are the heart of the home, and this is never more fitting than when you are entertaining guests at your place. Inviting friends and loved ones into your home to spend quality time together is as therapeutic as it is fun! And when it comes to eating, drinking and generally being merry, Palm Lake Resort kitchens are crammed with the kinds of features that support the experienced entertainer.

• 20mm waterfall end stone benchtops add luxury to your kitchen as well as being durable - stone is resistant to stains and scratches. Clean up after your party is as easy as using a damp cloth.

• SMEG is the chosen brand for Palm Lake Resort kitchens because it offers premium quality domestic appliances that combine technology with Italian style. The perfect combo for when guests are over and you’re cooking up a (stylish) storm!

• 2 pac cabinetry (with soft-close drawers) can be found in all Palm Lake Resort kitchens and, like our stone benchtops, is the preferred choice for its durability and ease of cleaning.

• Wide fridge cavities ensure you can install the entertainer’s fridge of your dreams. Our fridge cavities are plumbed with water as well, to support modern entertainer fridges – you’ll never be without ice and there’s no chance of warm drinks here!

• Open-plan home designs ensure conversations flow easily around your kitchen benches, and from the kitchen into the living areas and beyond.

Ingredients 1 cup water1 cup sugar1.5 cups fresh cranberries12 oz cranberry juice1 cup vodka1 bottle of Prosecco or champagnefresh mintlime wedges

Method To prepare the simple syrup, combine water, sugar and cranberries in a saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil, then simmer over medium heat for 15 minutes. Berries will begin to pop, sugar will dissolve and mixture will reduce. Strain mixture and let cool. Pour syrup into a sealable container until ready to serve. For the cocktails, combine 1 oz of the simple syrup, 1.5 oz cranberry juice and 1 oz of vodka in each champagne flute. Top each with champagne and garnish with lime and mint. Serve. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

CHRISTMAS CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL

IT’S THE EVE OF PARTY SEASON – THAT TIME OF THE YEAR WHEN DIARIES BULGE WITH FESTIVE GET TOGETHERS. LUCKY FOR YOU, PALM LAKE RESORT DESIGNS KITCHENS AND LIVING AREAS PERFECT FOR TIMES LIKE THIS…

...& THERE'S MORE!

• Glass splashbacks• High quality chrome tapware• Stainless steel double bowl

undermount sink

OPEN DAY PURR-FECTION

The Kitty Kats headlined our recent Open Day concert, and their 1940s swing music sure got the party started! The free barista-made coffee and ice-cream was well received, as were our two brand new display homes, Talanga B and Manaboa B. Did you spot our ‘sailors’ in the crowd?!

AROUND THE GROUNDS

A stereotypical retirement might entail downsizing, but more so it’s a ‘right-sizing’ of life as people find more time for the adventures and other recreational activities that make this era so rewarding. Motorhomes, caravans, boats, jet skis and more are just some of the recreational ‘toys’ that many Palm Lake Resort residents own and so, storage becomes a big consideration when deciding on the right home. Luckily, Palm Lake Resort designers have taken this into account and have developed RV homes that offer floorplans with longer, wider garages and high garage door openings. These RV homes are some of the most popular designs across the whole Palm Lake Group based simply upon the flexibility they provide home owners. Instead of having to put their caravan or motorhome into external storage, residents who opt for our RV homes can drive that recreational vehicle straight into their own garage. It makes for the most convenient pre-trip pack up and unpack on your return, and keeps those RVs secure and out of the elements.

Here at Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa, the Coolum RV design offers a mega-garage measuring 6.55m x 4.17m with additional RV parking of 9.98m x 1.97m. An over-height

garage door opening makes parking your RV a breeze. Automatic garage doors with remotes and seamless epoxy flooring complete the picture for all our RV garages.

While storage for your RV is important, what really sells our Palm Lake Resort homes for those who can't wait to get “on the road again” is the ‘lock it and leave’ aspect. You see, as residents watch their Palm Lake Resort home disappear in the rearview mirror of their motorhome or tow vehicle, there are no security concerns. Their home is safe and sound behind our resort gates, and ‘neighbourhood watch’ takes on a more impressive (and literal) definition within our lifestyle communities. We’ll even make sure your front yard is maintained while you’re gone! Palm Lake Resort’s maintenance-free homes couldn’t be more appreciated after a long stint away.

It’s important to note that for those caravanners who decide on a non-RV garage home design, Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa also offers caravan storage facilities for that prized asset. The retirement years really are a fun adventure. And none more so than when living in a Palm Lake Resort!

WILLIE NELSON SUMMED UP PERFECTLY THE ATTITUDE OF MANY PALM LAKE RESORT RESIDENTS WHEN HE RELEASED HIT SONG ‘ON THE ROAD AGAIN’ BACK IN 1980. “GOIN’ PLACES THAT I’VE NEVER BEEN. SEEIN’ THINGS THAT I MAY NEVER SEE AGAIN - I CAN’T WAIT TO GET ON THE ROAD AGAIN.”

Pictured, our Coolum RV home design.

LOCK IT AND LEAVE

PEOPLE POWER THE (DIRT) ROAD LESS TRAVELLEDWHILE PALM LAKE RESORT IS RENOWNED FOR BUILDING MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR COUNTRY CLUBS,

AWARD-WINNING COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND ARCHITECTURAL ABODES ACROSS AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST, THERE’S ONE THING THAT TURNS THESE HOUSES INTO HOMES, AND THESE COLLECTIVE HOMES INTO WARM, WELCOMING, HAPPY LIFESTYLE COMMUNITIES... AND THAT’S THE PEOPLE.

WHOEVER SAID SPENDING A FORTUNE ON A CAR WAS A GOOD IDEA, NEVER DROVE A SHITBOX. PALM LAKE RESORT RESIDENT IAN BATES KNOWS FIRST-HAND THE VALUE OF A TRUSTY SECONDHAND RIG – ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING MONEY FOR CHARITY.It doesn’t matter which residents of the two

dozen or so Palm Lake Resorts you speak to, over the 40-odd years that Palm Lake Group has been developing these sites, you will always hear stories about firm friendships built over the fence, over a game of lawn bowls or over an icy cold beverage at Happy Hour. While Palm Lake Resort residents are encouraged to do as much or as little as they please, each resort’s weekly activities roster and special events calendar is brimming with opportunities for them to spend time with likeminded neighbours. And herein lies one of the secrets to authentic happiness – being part of a community.

It’s true - bricks and mortar do maketh our award-winning Palm Lake Resort facilities and homes, but it’s the likeminded communities who congregate here that maketh these secure gated resorts some of the most welcoming places around. Our real assets are our people. And across the Palm Lake Group’s community lifestyle resorts and aged caring communities, there are around 11,000 people in total calling a Palm Lake Group abode their home. There are painters, potters, artisans and creatives, singers and musicians, sports enthusiasts, travellers and adventure seekers among them - just to name a few. And what is impressive is that our people genuinely enjoy their time together – be that within their own resort communities and across our locations.

Bowls brings our people together Palm Lake Group’s biggest ever inter-resort competition has recently been played out at a dry and dusty lawn bowls club in the heart of drought-stricken Kingaroy. Around 100 residents from Palm Lake Resorts Cooroy-Noosa, Bargara, Beachmere, Toowoomba, Hervey Bay, Upper Coomera and Eagleby

descended upon the peanut farming town to compete in the event – “compete” being the questionable word… Palm Lake Resort Bargara resident Joy Williams was instrumental in bringing the idea of such a large inter-resort competition to life. For the past four years, lawn bowls enthusiasts from Palm Lake Resorts Bargara and Eagleby would meet and play an annual grudge match at Murgon Bowls Club.

“The comment was often made at these games that it would be good to meet even more likeminded resort residents,” Joy says. “Last year, general discussion led to the idea that it would be good to extend the invitation to ALL the Queensland Palm Lake Resorts to join us in 2019.”

Joy says it would have been impossible to fit any additional players into the Murgon club so bigger grounds were sought. Keen travellers, Joy and her husband Andrew knew that a large contingent of Palm Lake Resort residents descending on any country lawn bowls club would give

that club’s local economy an important boost. Joy highlighted Kingaroy as being quite central to those Palm Lake Resorts expressing their early interest in attending, as well as it being a town that could benefit from an influx of tourists. So that was it. Joy began planning. The end result was a week-long ‘festival’ (with Palm Lake Group financial sponsorship) offering participating residents the chance to pull up their RVs together, enjoy shared Happy Hours and good conversations after dinner each night, join in an organised bus tour, oh, and of course, there was even some lawn bowls played! In the end, 84 residents across seven Palm Lake Resort locations battled it out on two Kingaroy greens for three days. Teams of triples played over 17 ends. The winners of the perpetual trophy were the “Riverside Rebels” from Palm Lake Resort Upper Coomera and the runners-up were the “Bargara Lovebirds”. But, as Joy reminds us, the real winners were ALL the 100 Palm Lake Resort residents who joined in the fun together - and the town of Kingaroy.

It may have an unconventional name, but the Australian Cancer Council’s “Shitbox Rally” raised a very respectable sum for cancer research recently – with thanks, in part, to an equally as respectable Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa resident.

Ian Bates and his son, David, competed in the rally in October, driving a 1998 Honda Legend “luxury shitbox” from Melbourne to Townsville, via Birdsville. Some 250 teams took part in the rally. To enter, each team had to fundraise $5000 and then commit to driving their rally car (that had to be purchased for less than $1000, hence the rally’s name!) on the 3800km trip over seven days. Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa was among those to chip in to get the father-and-son team on the road and the residents of our resort helped further by buying raffle tickets to win prizes donated by the local community.

Ian and David were compelled to take part in the event as the cause is very close to their hearts. In proof that things happen in threes, when David was just 49 (three years ago), he was diagnosed with colon cancer. Ian’s wife Lorraine (David’s mother), was next to be diagnosed with cancer – hers in her breast. Then came Ian’s own cancer diagnosis – prostate cancer that has metastasised into his spine. David and Lorraine are both now in the clear, while Ian’s treatment is ongoing – but it wasn’t going to stop him from making the epic trip.

Ian admits that his son came in very handy for the rally – David is a mechanic by trade and an experienced rally driver who has even performed in precision

driving teams at shows. Ian recalls (literal) highs and lows across the rally event – from moments when the Honda Legend became airborne over cattle grids, to late, late nights in ‘triage’ under the car performing bush mechanics to keep their rally dreams alive.

“At one point, we tore off the exhaust, had two flat tyres and a hole in the fuel tank,” Ian recalls. “We just threw the exhaust in the boot and kept going.”

With a little ingenuity, David used soap to plug the hole in the fuel tank and scavenged pieces of fencing wire to keep “Banjo, the Outback Legend”, as their chariot was known, on the road. While there was loads of driving, there was also time for fun. Ian and David even donned drag at one stage (Ian wearing one of his wife’s “cool” dresses – which proved not-so cool in the Birdsville heat!).

“We had so much fun,” Ian smiles. “We just laughed so much!”

All up, those 250 teams raised a staggering $2.3 million for charity through the one event. Ian was thrilled to take part in this, his first rally for the Australian Cancer Council, and assures us he’ll be putting up his hand to take part again next year. As long as his trusty precision-driving mechanic son is keen to come along for the ride!

“Very proud of David Bates,” Ian wrote on Facebook. “Legendary driver, resourceful mechanic and all round top bloke. Well done, son.”

We can’t wait to see what type of ride the pair’s $1000 buys next year! For more about Ian's epic voyage, head online to www.facebook.com and search “Me an Dad Motorsport”.

AROUND THE GROUNDSFESTIVAL OF FUN

Right now, and up until Christmas, Palm Lake Resorts Cooroy-Noosa and Beachmere Bay are hosting their inaugural “Festivals of Fun”.

To make the most of Queensland’s beautiful spring/summer weather, the Festivals of Fun invite visitors to join in with residents on their regu-lar social and sporting activities, while also providing an excuse for both resorts to host other fun new social events.

Palm Lake Resort sales manager Jen Nichols says among the Festi-val of Fun activities scheduled for Cooroy-Noosa, for example, are tai chi morning teas, dinner and cards nights, trivia, ten pin bowling and cocktail parties.

“We are inviting guests to join in with our residents in all of their usual activities and we are adding a bit of extra fun along the way!” Jen says.

“It’s a great way for visitors to see firsthand just how enjoyable and rewarding it is to be part of a Palm Lake Resort - there is such a great community spirit here that you really have to experience for yourself.”

To find out what Festival of Fun activities are on when, freecall the Cooroy-Noosa Sales Centre on 1800 885 851.

CARETAKERS’ REPORTWith any organisation, staff play a very important part in the successful day-to-day operation of our resort here at Cooroy-Noosa. Happy staff make for a happy place.

Our staff perform their duties in an enthusiastic and professional manner, ensuring our residents can go about their lives knowing their resort is clean, tidy and organised. A big thank you to all our residents who also assist in maintaining this standard.

Our residents are extremely proud of their resort with visitors often commenting on the warm and welcoming feel of the place. This is a reflection on our staff and the residents’ hard work.

The majority of our staff have been here since we opened our doors in 2016 and we have all become part of some kind of extended family. Maintaining Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa can be hard work but a courteous smile, some friendly banter and a sense of fun goes a long way to creating a happy space for residents and staff alike. It is contagious.

Deb & MickPalm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa caretakers

BRING YOUR BESTIE

Pictured this page, we opened the doors of our resort recently and invited our residents’ besties along to join in the fun that is life at Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa. You can see by these photos there was plenty of food, drink and merriment – with special thanks to our resident musos, the Trading Post Street Band.

Pictured above, some of the Palm Lake Resort Cooroy-Noosa caretaking team including, from left, Deb and Mick, maintenance/gardener Luke, Belinda the cook, and our amazing cleaner (and artistic talent!), Deb Fraser.

Master Builders Association Award Winning Resorts 2017 for Best Resort, Best Country Club and Best Home and 2018 Best Sporting and Leisure Facility

Display Homes Open

7 Days

At Palm Lake Resort, we bring you the best in designer living. Each resort boasts a luxurious world class country club with gold standard features including a ten pin

bowling alley, movie theatre, championship undercover bowls green, indoor and outdoor pools, exclusive Milon gym, sauna, spa and more. Plus enhance your lifestyle further with $30,000* of luxury inclusions as

standard with all new homes.

*Subject to change without notice.

Contact us today to arrange your personal tour of our beautiful display homes, country clubs and resorts.

Live a world class country club lifestyle

palmlakeresort.com.au | Freecall 1800 885 851 | The best in designer living.