Rita marks two decades of island life at Bribie Cove
Retirement living was the perfect choice for Bolton Clarke Bribie Cove resident Rita Bourke when she found herself on her own and wanting a lifestyle free of the upkeep of a home 19 years ago.
Now celebrating the 20th anniversary of the village, Rita was excited to mark its 20th anniversary this month as one of the first residents to move in after the village opened its doors in 2005.
The local community turned out in force to join the celebration on 13th September, which included vintage car clubs, a petting zoo, dancing and family fun – along with the obligatory birthday cakes!
“I was a widow when I moved here so was on my own, but I still wanted to get about and do some travelling. I found having a house and all the maintenance and general upkeep was more than I particularly wanted to do,” Rita said.
“I originally just wanted an apartment, so I didn’t have the worries of a freestanding home, and I looked at apartments from Hervey Bay right through to Brisbane.
“I wasn’t happy with any that I looked at but when I walked into what is now my villa here at Bribie Cove, I thought this is just perfect.
The close proximity of the village to doctors, banks and local shopping centres as well as having the ocean right around the corner all added to the appeal for Rita.
“It was my first venture into living in close proximity to neighbours but the early residents were a very active group and we soon made firm friendships,” she said.
“I have never regretted coming here because it’s been a good place for me to be and has continued to suit me even now as I’m losing my sight because in the time I’ve been here, I now know where everything is.
“It’s been a feeling of security that we know there is residential aged care here but if anything goes wrong, you know that’s the next step in our lives.
“It’s interesting too because we have all come from very diverse backgrounds and being a part of the village has brought us together.
“I always said that I’d go somewhere when I turned 70 and then I wasn’t going to move again, and it’s proved a very, very good decision.”
