25 years of Carlyle Gardens: where generations become family
BlueCare's Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village in Mackay celebrated a special milestone last week with residents coming together for a 25th anniversary dinner to celebrate a quarter of a century of friendship, memories and life in the village.
From cane fields to community
Twenty-five years ago, Carlyle Gardens Retirement Village was surrounded by cane fields, with just a handful of homes and a small group of residents beginning to create a new community.
Built by the Green Group, Tony and Marlene Green created the village foundations that has stood the test of time. Over nine expansion stages, Carlyle Gardens has grown to 282 homes and 370 residents, ranging from their 60s to their late 90s.
Today, it brings together people at very different stages of life - including those who have called it home for 25 years and those who have only just arrived.
Meet Hazel Weeks – one of the original residents
Hazel Weeks has been part of the Carlyle Gardens story almost from the beginning.
She moved into the village in October 2001, when her home was the 16th to be built and there were just 33 residents.
Hazel was among a small group of women who helped shape the early community, alongside fellow long-term residents Daphne Ryan, Gail White and Margaret Mardell.
“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it since I’ve been here,” Hazel said.
There were no gyms, clubhouse or offices in those early days. Residents gathered in the community room for crafts and indoor bowls, played cards and shared meals as friendships began to form.
Hazel had already lived an exciting and interesting life. Born in Boonah, she worked in an electrical shop, travelled around the state and moved to Mackay in 1972.
Her involvement in sport brought her into contact with sporting legends, including Australian tennis great Yvonne Goolagong Cawley, who Hazel even drove around during her visit to the region.
But some of her most treasured memories have been made at Carlyle Gardens.
“When I came here, I knew no one,” she said. “It’s the friendships you make and you become a family,” she said.
A new generation arrives
Fast-forward to today, 25 years later, and Tony and Tania Gambie are helping write the next chapter.
At 62 (Tony) and 59 (Tania), they are among Carlyle Gardens’ newest residents, moving in just three months ago and challenging the stereotype that retirement village living is only for the very elderly.
For Tony and Tania, it is about lifestyle, freedom, connection and quality of life.
They have also discovered the value of living alongside residents from generations before them. Tania said they are happy to help residents from previous generations with everyday tasks, from setting up phones and devices to shopping for those who have become less mobile.
"We enjoy hearing their stories and wisdom that comes with a lifetime of experiences. Some of the lives they have lived are just extraordinary,” Tania said.
It is a two-way connection. Younger residents can bring energy, practical help and new experiences, while residents from previous generations offer knowledge, perspective and stories that might otherwise be lost.
A village designed for connection
The village’s physical design also encourages that balance between community and independence.
The homes are separated by gardens rather than fences, creating privacy and open spaces while still allowing residents to connect with their neighbours when they choose.
It is a design that reflects what Carlyle Gardens has become – a place where people can enjoy their own space without being isolated from others.
25 years of belonging
Village Manager Jan Stewart said it is this sense of connection that has endured as Carlyle Gardens has grown and changed.
“It’s really great to see people who have been here all this time,” she said.
Residents who leave often tell her moving to Carlyle Gardens was one of the best decisions they ever made.
“People come here for the lifestyle and community and people love that here. It’s more than a community – it’s like a family.”
For Jan, reaching 25 years is a significant milestone for both residents and the team.
“It’s just terrific and a very rewarding milestone for the residents and our team.”
For Hazel, Carlyle Gardens has been home for a quarter of a century.
“It’s the only home I’ve ever known,” she said.
For Tony and Tania, their story is only three months old.
Together, their stories capture 25 years of Carlyle Gardens – from its humble beginnings among the cane fields to a future where new generations can begin their own retirement journey alongside those who helped shape the community before them.
