The Caravan Repair Company at Burleigh Heads is known across Queensland and New South Wales as the place to go to restore a caravan or get it fixed. They tell us what accessories makes the caravanning experience even better.
Caravanning is great fun and very much part of the Australian culture. It is a great way to get around and a budget-friendly way to holiday. Is there anything better than hitching up the caravan and heading off on a relaxing road trip? Well yes actually. And that’s knowing you have the right accessories for any situation that may crop up before you start your trek. That knowledge will ensure the journey is as stressfree and fun as possible.
If you own a caravan, you probably treat it like a little palace, filling it with everything to make it as comfortable and attractive as possible. We know this at The Caravan Repair Company as we deal with so many proud and happy owners. Here are what we think are the must-have caravan accessories on the Gold Coast.
CLEVER INNOVATIONS
One of the most clever and innovative products is tyre repair spray. It seals a hole temporarily, allowing reinflation without having to remove the tyre. This product could get you out of a very difficult situation since it enables you to cover a few hundred kilometres before the damaged tyre needs permanent repair. Come in and see us and we will get you sorted out with some of this amazing product.
SOLAR ACCESSORIES
Depending on where you are planning on travelling to, you may to need to invest in solar panels or a solar blanket, charger, battery and inverter, so you can create a chain of power. In simple terms, this chain of power ensures you can take your precious coffee machine, or other appliance, with you so you can still enjoy a great cappuccino, even if you’re off-grid.
AN AERIAL OR ANTENNA
Caravanning is a home away from home trip, and for many that means home comforts can come along, including a television. Many caravans now have a TV antenna installed as standard but if yours does not, it is an easy installation with us.
Antennas are a great way to stay in touch with the world. The great outdoors can lose its appeal sometimes for younger travellers who want to connect with their friends back at home. Being connected to the internet and watching TV helps keep all family members happy.
Aerials come in a huge range of shapes and sizes, but you’ll need to choose if you want a directional aerial or an omnidirectional aerial. An ariel will give you terrestrial television. Satellite TV in your caravan is a bit more complex, so come and have a conversation with us and we can help you make some choices there.
And of course, there are safety benefits that come with having an antenna. In the event of something going wrong, you get the peace of mind that you can contact the outside world. With a working antenna, you’re never really lost.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL
This accessory is specifically for towing caravans. It is a must-have if you do a lot of towing and are concerned about safety.
Caravans that are being towed can be unstable, and particularly vulnerable to sideways movement. When a critical point of lateral movement is reached, it could overturn. The ESC monitors the movements and automatically applies the brakes when necessary to bring the caravan back into line and restabilising it.
WATER
One of the realities of travelling anywhere in Australia, especially through the warmer months, is that you will need to carry fresh, clean drinking water with you. A 40-litre water can on wheels will make the job of transporting the water supply from the source back to your van, just that little bit easier. Ask us about the water tank on wheels.
HOME COMFORTS
If you are bringing your interior up to spec, consider getting a modern aircon system. A long time in the heat at a holiday destination is no fun if the air conditioning is broken or non-existent!
Similarly, you’ll probably want the best facilities when it comes to mealtimes. A lot of caravan owners love their microwaves, as they’re quick to feed impatient mouths. Fridges, of course, are essential for keeping food edible while you’re on the road. These appliances can be upgraded or installed easily by our experienced technicians.
A lot of the caravan restorations we have done involve retro-fitting. A bargain RV or caravan might have a lot of potential, but very few mod cons. You might not think your classic van has room for the latest kit, but you would be wrong. It’s amazing how much of the latest equipment can fit into quite small, older caravans, when fitted by experts.
ENJOY YOUR TRIP!
There are so many beautiful places to explore in Australia and often it’s the little things you find along the way that mean the most. Once you’ve parked your van, especially when driving long distances, it’s a great idea to cycle around the area, this gives you the chance to check out your surroundings and take it all in, at a slower pace. Consider having folding bikes! They are a genius solution for compact convenience.
Come have a chat with us at The Caravan Repair Company, and we will get a plan in place to make your caravan or RV a moving palace. ■
Fresh, innovative, and stylish are terms not typically associated with retirement living. But a closer look shows a quiet revolution is underway on the Gold Coast, with local developer GemLife shaking up the landscape and transforming the way over-50s, downsizers, and retirees live in 2021 and beyond. GemLife launched just over four years ago and now has ten over-50s lifestyle resorts across Australia. The Director and CEO Adrian Puljich, himself a Gold Coaster, said he was excited to bring its innovative home and lifestyle concept to the Gold Coast and nearby Tweed. Both estates are in the early stages of development.
GemLife is at the forefront of a revolution in over-50s’ living – one which Adrian says has been long overdue. The real estate industry has been slow to adapt to the changing wants and needs of older Australians who are healthier and more active than ever before, and equally passionate about great design as younger generations.
“Retirement is a loaded word that comes with a host of outdated associations about ageing that don’t reflect the reality of today’s over-50s. This is, even more so, the case with ideas about ‘retirement living’,” said Adrian.
“There is a huge gap between the stereotypes and the truth. Most over-50s are adventurous, curious and freedom-loving – they see life opening up before them, not slowing down,” he said.
When GemLife launched, Adrian set out to redefine the sector with an emphasis on a dynamic lifestyle, high-quality homes, and a huge offering of resort-style facilities for fitness and fun.
Typically, facilities at a GemLife resort include a luxury country club with an indoor swimming pool, spa, sauna, ten-pin bowling, golf simulator, cinema, bar and café. This is in addition to an outdoor pool, barbecue areas, tennis courts, and community garden. All resorts are pet-friendly, and have an off-leash dog run.
The approach has hit the mark – across Australia GemLife homes are consistently selling faster than competitors. “Our first resort at Bribie Island was forecast to be an eight-year project, but we are already wrapping up the resort’s final stage and have almost sold out in half that time. Our resorts are all about a terrific lifestyle, underscored by quality design and construction, attention to detail and responsiveness. That has been a big part of our success,” he said.
Increasingly, the resorts attract younger buyers, many still working full or part-time, looking to free themselves from the responsibilities of large family homes. Frequent feedback from older residents, according to Adrian, is that they wish they’d done it sooner.
“We’ve also had the 50-year-old children of prospective residents so impressed by what they see, they end up moving in too.”
That is what happened to Michelle Thomas, who now lives at GemLife Bribie Island in Moreton Bay. “Mum and dad had gone unconditional on their waterfront villa and were waiting to start building when they invited us to an open day. I came along to see what they were so excited about. I went home with all the information and came back an hour later to tell them that Dave and I were putting our house on the market, and we moved in that April,” said Michelle.
Adrian said that word-of-mouth was a strong driver for the company, with family recommending the GemLife lifestyle to other family members and friends recommending to their friends. “We even have employees whose own parents have moved in. The strength of belief in our offering means a lot to me personally.”
For Adrian, taking over-50s living in a fresh, vibrant direction with GemLife has been a longheld passion. “I’m excited and inspired by what we’re doing at our resorts. It’s about staying innovative and creating an environment that opens up possibilities for over-50s to live life to the fullest.”
ABOUT GEMLIFE GOLD COAST
Set upon a unique, elevated 46.4-hectare site with sweeping views all the way to Surfers Paradise and bordered by beautiful natural bushland, GemLife Gold Coast is set to become a flagship, signature resort.
It has an incredible three-level country club complete with rooftop infinity pool, fitness centre, indoor pool and spa, bar and lounge, wine room and more. It also has a separate wellness centre with a lagoon-style pool, outdoor yoga and indoor Pilates’ studio. Plus, it has an origami-inspired pavilion set atop the resort’s highest point to capture 180-degree views across the Gold Coast’s coastline. Peacefully ensconced in a picturesque part of Pimpama in the housing growth corridor between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the centrally located GemLife Gold Coast puts the coast’s world-famous beaches and coastline, the natural beauty of the sub-tropical hinterland and Brisbane’s city-life all within easy reach.
The resort’s architecturally designed homes are six-star energy rated and built with high-end, low-maintenance living in mind. With unrivalled levels of customisation available, including multiple colour-schemes and facade options, your home will truly be your sanctuary.
ABOUT GEMLIFE TWEED WATERS
Superb design, inspired by the natural coastal beauty of the Tweed and mid-century modernism, will define the exclusive, boutique over-50s lifestyle resort, GemLife Tweed Waters.
Set in a premium position with direct waterway access, the resort will feature just under 100 homes and a stunning modern waterfront country club. It will have an extensive array of premium fitness and leisure facilities, including a fabulous roof-top swimming pool.
The gated lifestyle resort would take advantage of the natural features of its idyllic coastal location, offering luxurious, low-maintenance living and premium facilities that let buyers downsize their responsibilities and upsize their lifestyle.
The architecture of the resort’s two-storey country club will feature a sleek, coastal look with references to southern Californian mid-century modernism, but with a Tweed twist. Incorporating a coastal material palette including stone and louvred feature walls, and interesting use of timber, the club wraps around the waterfront to maximise a north-east aspect.
Facilities in and around the country club include an outdoor yoga studio, bar and cafe, gym studio, outdoor lounge areas, fire pits, barbecue facilities, cinema, a creative arts space and much more.
ABOUT GEMLIFE
GemLife’s secure, gated resorts are in country and coastal locations in Queensland, Victoria, and New South Wales. To know more about GemLife, visit their website here.■
If you liked our article about retirement life, you might want to check out this article about cruising retirement!
People dance for many reasons. But did you know that dancing has great health benefits as well? Steven Bock from 5th Avenue Dance tells us everything he has discovered about just how good dancing is for your wellbeing.
We all know that exercise is the ultimate medicine. Staying active is paramount for wellbeing, especially in the years after 50. But what if you could combine a fun activity with exercise so that you didn’t even feel like you were exercising at all? That’s exactly why so many people do dancing – it’s so fun that you forget you are getting quite the workout. Dancing is amazing for wellbeing. Here’s why.
BENEFITS:
Improve the condition of your heart and lungs; due to the (sometimes) aerobic nature of some of the faster dances. At 5th Avenue Dance we structure your 45 minute lessons to warm up with a Foxtrot which moves around the room, then a slower Latin dance the Rumba, before we hit the faster tempos of Swing, a break with some wonderful Waltz, before moving onto a faster Cha Cha then cool down with a Tango.
Increase your muscular strength. When you are dancing, you are moving! Our 5th Avenue Dance instructors are very aware of your starting level of fitness, and take this into account as we teach you to dance, and within a very short period of time what you can do, increases.
Increase endurance. Dancing may not seem like exercise in the same way as going to the gym, riding a bike or training for a triathlon. But we are dancing and moving for 45 minutes, which is a good workout. The difference is the music and fun (not to mention the skill you are learning).
Weight management. Exercise is great. Even better is a variety of exercise to burn calories. Your body gets used to just swimming, or just running. Dancing a variety of dances uses different muscle groups at different speeds. This is hard for your body to “get used to” so therefore more calories are burned.
Stronger bones and reduced risk of osteoporosis. According to Osteoporosis Australia, dancing is categorised as highly Osteogenic. Dancing is right up there in the number one category.
Better coordination, agility, and flexibility. This is very important in the later years to maintain balance and prevent falls. At 5th Avenue Dance we concentrate on feet placement and timing. This leads to better balance and coordination and gives you increased agility and flexibility as well as spatial awareness (very important on a social dance floor with many other couples dancing and having fun).
Increased physical confidence. As your stamina increases, together with balance and timing, your physical confidence in what you can do skyrockets. For those needing the occasional helping hand, your connection to your dance partner supplies this – allowing you to fly across the dance floor.
Improved general and psychological wellbeing. Being social and making new friends in the later years has been shown time and time again to lengthen lifespan and increase wellbeing.
Better social skills. At 5th Avenue Dance we are constantly recommending changing partners in group lessons. Our students make us so proud, even those who have their own partner go out of the way to ask and dance with all partners. You can never have too many friends, right?
To find out more about whether dancing can benefit your health, come in and take advantage of our complementary private dance lesson here at 5thavenuedance.com.au . Time to have fun! ■
If you want to read more about dancing, click here.
We all need a staycation to remind us just how lucky we are here on the Coast. One night at the Rhapsody is enough to make us remember why we all moved to the Gold Coast in the first place! Nicole Buckler reports.
I am putting it out there and you can write in all you want to argue with me, but here it is: Narrowneck is the best beach on the Gold Coast. This debate will go on for some time, as it always has at the Coast. So while you are compiling your argument defending your favourite spot, I will put my argument in front of you thusly.
First of all, the artificial reef built at Narrowneck in the late 90s not only has preserved the beach somewhat, but as all reefs do, it has created a better, more rideable wave. The reef has been topped up a few times over the years with sandbags and other materials to make sure it keeps doing what it is supposed to. The council seems all over it and it keeps this part of the beach as a paradise for surfers and swimmers.
Many locals will argue whether this wave is the best wave or not. I am here to say that it is one of life’s great pleasures to watch surfers ride these waves at sunset or at dawn. When it is windy, the kite surfers come out to play, and this is a spectacle that can be watched for hours. Narrowneck is the best beach on the Coast and I am prepared to go to hand-to-hand combat about it.
As for Staycations, there’s no better place, especially in Spring. Seas are clearer in Spring, and it is a paradise on our doorstep that other humans wait their whole lives to experience.
I chose the Rhapsody Resort as the place to base myself. It is directly across the road from the beach, a 5-minute walk from the flags at Narrowneck, and a gorgeous 15-minute walk along the beach to the bright lights/big city feels of Surfers Paradise. North Surfers Paradise G:Link Station is across the road.
I checked into a 35th-floor ocean-view room. That sunrise over the ocean? Wow. It’s the stuff of life. I could do it 10,000 times again from the 35th floor like I did last night and never grow tired of it.
From the balcony, I could see all the way to South Straddie and even further. And it was a perfect day – that kind of day where the sun touches your skin after an early Spring swim, and you feel like you are being kissed all over by a minor deity. As a massive fan of North Gold Coast, I loved my aspect from the 35th floor, I could survey all that I own. Okay I wish I owned it. Maybe one day I will!
As for the resort, it’s got some cool stuff. Downstairs is a café that is a favourite of locals getting their coffee and morning goodies. The food was amazing. The pool is gorgeous, as resort pools are, it catches the sun perfectly. The rooms have the kind of panoramas that made the Gold Coast famous. There are no beach panoramas anywhere like it in the world. Turquoise oceans and blue skies that inject you with wellbeing and big feels.
The Level 41 garden rooftop terrace is the jewel in the crown. We grabbed some champers and sat up there and were lucky enough to have a full moon splashing us with its beams of light. It was just so soul-satisfying that it was actually hard to leave the hotel!
We all know the usual haunts for staycations on the Coast. If you are looking for something new and a little different, then this is your place. And it is on the very best beach on the coast. Send your long, but also wrong, arguments about other beaches to Nicole@sunkissmedia.com.au. ■
Discount for Silver Readers
When booking, use the promo code “SILVERMAG.” This will get Silver readers 15% discount of all BAR rates and room types across all travel dates. The special discount will be valid until the end of February, so get booking! This code can be applied directly when using rhapsodyresort.com.au/booking or quoted to the reservations team over the phone.
For more information about Rhapsody Resort, click here.
If you like indoor beaches, check out our article about the Infinity Broadbeach!
Need a holiday? Want to try out a lifestyle care community? Then check out this innovative idea offered by Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities.
We all like to get away. Even just hearing the word ‘holiday’ can inspire thoughts of reprieve. The effects of relaxation start when the holiday does, and can stay with us for weeks!
With social distancing and snap lockdowns becoming the norm, many of us are feeling the strain of not being able to holiday or enjoy social gatherings. This can be particularly isolating for our seniors. But one Gold Coast aged care community is serving up the solution!
Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities is offering seniors a luxury getaway experience. This can remedy the increasing issue of loneliness and isolation among older Australians. It also caters to those seniors with a desire to try before they decide!
This model not only allows seniors to cure their wanderlust but enables an ideal way to ‘test the waters’ at Odyssey’s resort-style community. Rivalling hotel costs on the coast, the Odyssey staycation includes a selection of accommodation, all on-site restaurant meals, access to weekly lifestyle events, personal care (pending an assessment) and more.
Your holiday will be a delightful combination of fun, interesting outings and socialising. The weekly lifestyle events can be compared to those on a cruise ship – and they are incredibly popular!
Residents often enjoy trips to museums, art galleries, pub lunches, river cruises and much more. Odyssey’s Lifestyle Coordinator, Allison is deftly in tune with the residents’ preferences and interests. She artfully curates a lifestyle calendar to empower residents and they get a lot of enjoyment out of it each week.
From active pursuits to cultural and culinary experiences, Odyssey is proactive about helping residents to get out and attend the activities they are passionate about. Being in your senior years doesn’t curb the enjoyment of hobbies and interests. Odyssey understands it’s important to make senior loved ones feel valued and have a sense of purpose. The community has extensive recreational facilities – socialising can often be as simple as taking a stroll down the hallway.
The unique Robina community combines hotel luxury with unparalleled care, support and superior services tailored from person to person and in particular, seniors.
The staycation model is designed specifically to provide seniors with an opportunity to enjoy a getaway, and make new friends in a welcoming and safe social setting. This is while experiencing the benefits of spacious and fully serviced apartments.
Many seniors are feeling hesitant and perhaps a little intimidated to travel or holiday at the moment. But the Odyssey model caters to safe travel, while also offering a luxury getaway experience.
Ultimately, staying connected through social activity and participating within a community is essential in maintaining seniors’ wellbeing, overall health, mental outlook and happiness. Odyssey provides peace of mind that senior loved ones will be cared for as family, treated as a VIP guest and enjoy making memories and connections.
EXCITING DEVELOPMENTS
Odyssey Lifestyle Care Communities, led by prominent aged care expert Phil Usher, is also launching its second stage of development in Robina, which will see residents traversing skybridges across six new levels.
The second stage of the community will include 48 new apartments and has been developed in consultation with residents. It will feature an entire level designed specifically for seniors with memory issues.
CEO and founder, Phil Usher said it was vital that Odyssey consult with residents and continue to include and welcome their feedback. This is something the community values. Odyssey’s consumer-centric ethos is all about listening to residents, hearing what they are saying and adapting to their needs, rather than following a less inclusive model. The Odyssey model has set an excellent precedent in the industry by demonstrating the power of putting people first.
Apartments in the new stage will include a powder room as well as a deluxe bathroom. The feedback from Odyssey’s residents made this design feature development possible.
Set within lush gardens, Odyssey’s Staycation apartments feature access to restaurant dining, sky gardens, library, piano lounge and more. Guests will also have access to 24/7 onsite nursing services and state-of-the-art artificial intelligence monitoring, to ensure safety and wellbeing.
Odyssey includes a full-service hospitality offering, breakfast, high-tea, three-course lunch and dinner, tea, coffee and drinks, nursing, personal care services and more.
In a Gold Coast first, Odyssey offers a pet-friendly and family-friendly community that welcomes overnight stays for friends and family. This all takes place in a luxury resort environment where couples stay together, and grandkids can have sleepovers.
Odyssey is a three-tower luxury aged care community, located at the high-profile site on the corner of Christine Avenue and The Crestway at Robina. It has set a new benchmark for the sector with an extensive offering of five-star accommodation, care services and amenities for residents. ■
For additional information, you may contact Odyssey at the following details:
Once paralysis occurs the animal is likely to die unless it is treated quickly with tick antiserum transfused by a vet.
Every year the paralysis tick will cause illness in over 100,000 companion animals on the east coast of Australia. Paralysis ticks are external parasites that suck the blood from their host animal. Their salivary glands produce a toxin that affects the nervous system of the host. Not only is the paralysis tick one of the most common, it’s also one of the most dangerous. Once paralysis occurs the animal is likely to die unless it is treated quickly with tick antiserum transfused by a vet. It still takes 48 hours for the toxin to be removed so your pet can continue to deteriorate during this time. Full recovery can take weeks
WHERE ARE PARALYSIS TICKS FOUND?
Ticks need humidity and mild weather to develop and can’t survive in cold climates. They are most commonly found along the east coast of Australia during the warmer months but can be found inland in suitable habitats and in northern parts of the country all year round.
WHAT DO TICKS LOOK LIKE?
Ticks vary in size between 1mm and 10mm long, depending on their age. They look like tiny spiders with a white, egg-shaped body. This body becomes larger and darker as it fills with blood.
Close up view of a tick
HOW CAN I PROTECT MY PET?
The best way to protect your pet is to check them daily in conjunction with a tick prevention treatment. Begin with their head and remember that you’re more likely to feel the tick than see it, so make sure you use your hands. Check inside your pet’s ears, nose, and mouth, under their chin and around their throat. Move down the front legs and check in between their toes. Feel along their body making sure to check their belly, and then check down their back legs and in between their toes. Inspect your pet’s genital region as ticks can sometimes be found there and finish with their tail.
It’s a good idea to use a tick treatment that will either repel ticks or kill them if they attach. Spot on treatments, tablets and collars are available and it’s best to consult your vet about which is most suitable for your pet. Read the instructions very carefully as some treatments are for dogs only and can be very dangerous to cats and can even kill them. Some can also react with other medications your pet may be on.
HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF TICK POISONING
If your pet has come into contact with a paralysis tick, they will experience paralysis in a variety of forms. A typical case will start with vomiting, a change in “voice” and progress to weakness in the hind limbs that will then progress to total paralysis of the whole body (gastrointestinal, ability to swallow and finally paralysis of respiration).
OTHER EARLY SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:
Loss of appetite
Vomiting or dry retching
Excessive salivation
Coughing
Noisy panting
Ticks attach to your pets through their suckers and can be very difficult to remove without the help of the vet
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF MY PET HAS A PARALYSIS TICK?
Paralysis ticks can lead to an animal needing to be ventilated and sadly many victims of these ticks do not recover. If your pet is showing any signs of tick paralysis, you should take him/her to a veterinarian for treatment promptly
If you suspect that your dog or cat has tick paralysis you can reduce the risk of complications by withholding food and water before you can see a veterinarian. This is especially important if the dog or cat is regurgitating. ■
There is a deadly new strain of tick disease, which first appeared in Western Australia last year. The brown dog tick is infected with the bacteria Ehrlichia canis (E. canis) and when it bites, the tick infects a dog with the disease ehrlichiosis which causes serious health issues, even death, among dogs. If you are transporting a dog between states it is vital you have your dog’s health checked. If you suspect a dog in Queensland is infected with E. canis you must report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 or report in their site.
Want to read about how pets can really be of help for your health? Check this article out.
