{"id":4883,"date":"2025-10-16T05:10:31","date_gmt":"2025-10-16T05:10:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.villages.com.au\/?p=4883"},"modified":"2025-10-16T05:14:05","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T05:14:05","slug":"lifetime-volunteers-now-creating-a-community-at-ingenia-lifestyle-hervey-bay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.villages.com.au\/retirement\/lifetime-volunteers-now-creating-a-community-at-ingenia-lifestyle-hervey-bay\/","title":{"rendered":"Lifetime volunteers now creating a community at Ingenia Lifestyle Hervey Bay"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"4883\" class=\"elementor elementor-4883\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-06c92f6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"06c92f6\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-30d4016\" data-id=\"30d4016\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c4e25d4 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c4e25d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>C<strong>hristine and Graham Henry have always believed that community is something you build by showing up.<\/strong><\/p><p>With their daughter in Bundaberg, a granddaughter and extended family in Hervey Bay, the couple wanted to be closer to loved ones.\u00a0<\/p><p>When they moved into the land lease community in the coastal city in southern Queensland almost four years ago, they had little hesitation getting involved and making things tick over for the benefit of all residents.<\/p><p>\u201cChristine\u2019s the Secretary of the Social Club, and I\u2019m President of the Home Owners Committee (HOC),\u201d Graham said. \u201cWe\u2019re both used to being involved in community volunteer work. It\u2019s how we were brought up, so I guess you could say it\u2019s in our DNA. I\u2019ve done volunteer work for the Cancer Council and started an over 50s group back when we lived in Brisbane.\u201d<\/p><p>As HOC President, Graham plays a pivotal role in connecting residents and management. \u201cWe\u2019re the go-between,\u201d he said. \u201cIf residents don\u2019t know how to approach an issue, or don\u2019t get the answer they need, they come to us. We help liaise and work through it with Ingenia.\u201d<\/p><p>The committee meets monthly and supports numerous resident-led initiatives. One standout project is a recycling program, which raises close to $10,000 a year to fund everything from gardening tools to arts supplies.<\/p><p>\u201cWe\u2019ve also purchased a beautiful coffee machine so people can pay a $2 donation for a barista-style coffee, and that has been a real hit. We hope the funds will eventually cover HOC membership fees to make joining more accessible for everyone.<\/p><p>\u201cThe committee is made up of great people. We all work together to make sure resident feedback is heard. We also fundraise to support the resident-led groups and ensure they have what they need. We&#8217;re lucky to have a fantastic working relationship with Ingenia management; it\u2019s cooperative, constructive and respectful.\u201d<\/p><p>Graham and Christine have also been involved in planning key community infrastructure, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theweeklysource.com.au\/community-living\/two-clubhouses-ingenia-lifestyle-say-amenities-essential-for-reactivated-retirees\">new Pavilion and Hangar<\/a> \u2013 spaces designed with input from residents \u2013 and a well-equipped men\u2019s shed, stocked with over $30,000 worth of tools.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-44e0eab elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"44e0eab\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c01b22b\" data-id=\"c01b22b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ceace1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2ceace1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.15.0 - 20-08-2023 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"601\" height=\"293\" src=\"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture6-1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-4886\" alt=\"Graham (far right) at the turning of the sod for The Hangar in September 2023.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture6-1.png 601w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture6-1-300x146.png 300w, https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Picture6-1-585x285.png 585w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 601px) 100vw, 601px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Graham (far right) at the turning of the sod for The Hangar in September 2023.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3dd56ac elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3dd56ac\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4ee5641\" data-id=\"4ee5641\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df0a6f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"df0a6f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>One of Graham\u2019s proudest moments has been helping to deliver a new war memorial for the community. \u201cWhen I retired, we travelled around Australia for three and a half years. We saw so many beautiful memorials. To help create one here was incredibly special. It is just beautiful.\u201d<\/p><p>Recognising how overwhelming moving can be, Graham and the HOC helped establish a welcome committee to ease the transition for new residents.<\/p><p>\u201cWhen we first arrived, it was a bit daunting,\u201d he said. \u201cWe came up with the idea to form a welcome committee, so no one feels lost. We try to visit newcomers during their first week, explain how things work and invite them to social events like Friday night raffles with a dedicated table for newcomers. It\u2019s a great icebreaker.\u201d<\/p><p>When asked what he loves most about life at Ingenia Lifestyle Hervey Bay, Graham is quick to praise the facilities. \u201cThey\u2019re the best I\u2019ve seen. We have two resort-style pools, a state-of-the-art pavilion, a large gym with yoga space, sauna, steam room, barbecue areas, community gardens, caravan storage and a fantastic men\u2019s shed that even has home brewing room for those who love to brew their own beer. It\u2019s phenomenal. You really get so much value and an incredible lifestyle out of these amenities.\u201d<\/p><p>But it\u2019s the sense of belonging that truly sets the community apart.<\/p><p>\u201cWe live on a small street of seven or eight homes. Every Thursday at 5pm, we rotate houses with our neighbours for darts and drinks \u2013 men in the garage, women in the backyard enjoying a wine. It\u2019s become a nice little ritual for us as friends.\u201d<\/p><p>Social life is lively, with happy hour raffles, live band dance nights and clubhouse catch-ups.<\/p><p>\u201cThere\u2019s something for everyone, whatever you\u2019re into, whether it\u2019s cards, bowls, arts and crafts. We\u2019re all at the same life stage, with a support network you don\u2019t find elsewhere. We learn so much from each other.\u201d<\/p><p>His advice for anyone considering the move?\u00a0<\/p><p>\u201cDon\u2019t be afraid. Friendships come naturally. It\u2019s a full life. We have our volunteering, morning teas, and a favourite caf\u00e9 by the water. Life couldn\u2019t be better.\u201d<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-198e046 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"198e046\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-0f2140f\" data-id=\"0f2140f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e8752a elementor-button-success elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"1e8752a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-lg\" href=\"https:\/\/thedcmgroup.createsend1.com\/t\/y-e-qhkldik-l-yd\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Return to Newsletter<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Christine and Graham Henry have always believed that community is something you build by showing up. With their daughter in Bundaberg, a granddaughter and extended family in Hervey Bay, the couple wanted to be closer to loved ones.\u00a0 When they moved into the land lease&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4884,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[70],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4883","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-retirement"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4883","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4883"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4883\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4892,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4883\/revisions\/4892"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4884"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4883"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4883"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.villages.com.au/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4883"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}