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Brisbane Retirement Village Life: Helen’s Artistic Journey at Azure Blue Carina
Painting, Prosecco & Portrait Prizes: Helen’s Story from Azure Blue Carina
I looked at several retirement villages and decided it wasn’t my scene. So I just started looking at units around the suburbs that were interesting to me.
My grandson used to make deliveries to Azure Blue Carina, and he said, “Look at one more, Granny.” I thought, why not? And I’ve been so fortunate — it was the best decision I could have made.
I’m Helen Young, and I live at Azure Blue Carina.
We retired in 1989 and moved to Bathurst — because of gold. My husband was interested in prospecting. I enjoyed looking for gold, but I became bored with it, and I started painting instead.
These days I still paint almost anything, but mostly I’ve been painting portraits. I’ve been very fortunate to win awards with the Moran Portrait Prize. I’ve been hung for two years. They considered it unusual that a hobby artist was hung twice. The next thing I knew, I was being interviewed — it was good fun — and that was to go into their archives.
I’ve made a couple of close friends in this village, and we had a brainwave: we would start happy hour. And it was the best thing we did. Once a month, we all arrive with our prosecco bottles and glasses. It’s a lovely chat time — just good fun, yes.
Weekly there’s a shopping bus, and once a month there’s a mystery tour — and it really is a mystery. You can end up in an RSL club, or you might be taken on a sightseeing tour along the beaches. And the people you’re with make the day very special — yes.
Life in this village is what you make it yourself. For me, sometimes it’s a day painting. But if I feel I need company, I can always find somebody to talk to — if I feel that need. And I hope I’m here for them when they feel the need.
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