Meet the residents of Buderim Gardens
Meet the people that make Buderim Gardens such an extraordinary place to retire.
The Beatles famously sang, ‘I get by with a little help from my friends’ and this sentiment rings true for Gaye and Karen. Despite being relatively new to Buderim Gardens, the two women have settled into the leafy 60-acre retirement village as if they’ve always been here.
For Susan, retirement wasn’t about slowing down—it was about starting something meaningful. When the opportunity arose to help activate the new community centre, Susan’s spark for leadership and connection reignited and soon blossomed into Rumours Café—a vibrant, resident-run hub that’s become the beating heart of the village.
Susan sparked a café culture at Buderim Gardens
For Buderim Gardens resident Susan, the idea of moving into a retirement village was a little nerve-wracking. With a career filled with 80 hour weeks, Susan knew she would need to find something to occupy her time. “I didn’t really quite accept retirement easily,” Susan says. “There just wasn’t enough in my day after having challenging roles in the past.”
After moving to Buderim Gardens and joining the resident committee as chairperson, Susan was asked if she could think of ways to bring residents into the brand new community centre. That’s when the idea for a café originated. With the help of other committee members and some funding to purchase equipment, the Rumours Café was born - and Susan stepped into the role of manager.
“When we first started it nearly killed us in the first month and we thought ‘how are we going to do this?’” Susan says. “We’d hardly be able to walk out of there, being so sore at the end of the day. And now we sort of just laugh, because we’re obviously so much fitter.” More than three years later, the onsite café now serves between 50 to 70 people a day, three days a week and is run by a roster of about 20 volunteer residents, some who are over the age of 80.
“It gives me another sense of purpose in life and I get great pleasure out of seeing residents and their friends and people from other Keyton villages coming in and enjoying the café,” she says. “That is a huge reward for me personally, but it’s also a huge reward for every single one of us who works in there.”
Dishing up good music, smooth coffee, delicious homemade goods, warm lunches and a must-book high tea, Rumours is a hive of social activity both in and out of the kitchen. “The social side of it for our volunteers is the main thing that keeps them here,” Susan says.
Whilst Susan no longer works in the café, unless a shift needs to be filled, she still makes it her mission to ensure the vibe is high and the volunteers are content. “I go down every morning and make sure everyone’s happy and looking forward to the day,” she says.
Having played a part in creating such a loved space and so clearly finding a purpose in her latest chapter, Susan is thriving in her retirement and wants others to do the same. “You’ve got to embrace community and decide what it is that turns you on. It might not be cards or aquarobics, but there will be something,” Susan says.
Gaye and Karen quickly became friends
Moving to a new place can be a significant change, but it can also be the start of a wonderful new chapter filled with friendship and community. Karen, a lawn bowls enthusiast and a dedicated member of the village's residents’ committee, initially relocated to the Sunshine Coast to live with one of her daughters, but she found the steep stairs at her daughter’s house challenging and began searching for other options.
“Living in a family neighborhood was quite lonely during the week while everyone was at work or school,” Karen shares. “So, with the support of my three daughters, we started exploring retirement villages. When we drove into Buderim Gardens, we all felt instantly that it was the right place. It wasn’t long before a perfect little house became available, and I knew it was meant to be.”
Gaye, an avid quilter and semi-retiree who works part-time at Bunnings, recently celebrated her first anniversary at Buderim Gardens. Previously residing in Maroochydore, Gaye wanted to downsize without a mortgage, so she took a chance and sold her former home. “I was frantically searching for a new place when an ad about downsizing appeared. With a bit of luck and guidance, I discovered Buderim Gardens,” Gaye says. “I immediately drove up, found a perfect fit and secured my spot. It was the best decision I’ve made.”
Gaye and Karen became neighbors and quickly bonded over their shared experiences. Since meeting, the two have enjoyed many activities and events within the village, as well as outings to catch a show or do some shopping. “It’s so nice to have somebody to do things with, especially while my family is at work during the week,” Karen says. Having a close friend nearby is not only enjoyable but also practical. “Karen often looks after my fur-baby when I go away,” Gaye says gratefully.
Living their best life
Both Gaye and Karen agree that one of their favorite aspects of Buderim Gardens is the weekly Wednesday night social at the community centre. The centre, which features a bar, lounge, restaurant, media room, library and more, is the heartbeat of the village. As a member of the social committee, Gaye regularly arranges events and activities to keep residents engaged. “We bring in food trucks, hold pizza nights and arrange special events for occasions like the Melbourne Cup,” Gaye adds.
Buderim Gardens offers a variety of amenities and activities to boost social connections and wellbeing. The craft room, gym, pool, cinema and communal veggie garden are all popular among residents. The village also has clubs for nearly every interest, connecting residents around common hobbies. The dedicated bus service transports residents to medical appointments, the Sunshine Plaza, the theatre, the beach and beyond. Gaye and Karen both appreciate never having to find a parking space.
Their advice to new residents is to put themselves out there, try new things and get involved. Reflecting on how their lives have changed since moving in, both ladies say it’s been ‘for the better’! Gaye exclaims, “I’ve got no debt, lots of friends, I love my home and I live in a great area. I’m always walking around the village, and this community and my friends make up for the fact that most of my family still lives in New Zealand!” Karen agrees, saying, “This stage of life can be very difficult if you’re not outgoing, but being in a place like this makes it easy to meet new people and is so good for you. I am very lucky!”
