Three seniors in the vegetable garden and having a good time.

Meet the residents of Viewbank Gardens

Residents share how the village has become a close-knit community where everyone is embraced like family.

For residents Pam, Tom and Trish, a cherished home filled with friendship, natural beauty and a profound sense of belonging are what they have found in Viewbank Gardens.

Pam and Tom love living local

Tom and Pam have called Viewbank Gardens home for over nine years and their experience reflects everything that makes this community truly special. After exploring several retirement villages, they found most to be too large and impersonal. "They felt like suburbs. But here, some of our neighbours' children went to school with ours at Viewbank College. It's like coming home to familiar faces," Pam explains.

Tom, an avid golfer, loves the location. “There’s a golf course just over the hill and another one at Strathallan, only 10 minutes away. It’s perfect,” he shares. Pam’s family couldn’t be happier with her decision. “Every day, I tell my son how much I love living here,” she says. Tom agrees, "It was the best thing I could have done. They all live nearby, just 15 to 20 minutes away.”

With nearly a decade of living at Viewbank Gardens, Pam warmly encourages others to consider the move: “Definitely move here. I haven’t had any trouble in all these years. It’s a friendly place where you accept people for who they are and we all come together to create something truly special.”

Tom laughing with some other residents of Viewbank Gardens

Tom especially likes the amenities surrounding Viewbank Gardens.

Trish enjoys the walking paths and greenery

Trish’s journey to Viewbank Gardens began with a chance encounter at a bus stop, where she met Tom, a long-time resident. “I noticed a gentleman heading towards the bus stop and thought he must live here. I introduced myself and asked if he liked living here. His response? ‘It’s good,’” she recalls. That simple moment sparked her interest and today, Trish loves being part of the Viewbank Gardens community. “Not having a pool didn’t bother me. I believe in paying for what suits you. We still have our privacy, but we also have a community centre where we gather,” she says.

Surrounded by beautiful bushlands, Trish enjoys the walking paths with stunning views, the occasional kangaroo sighting and scenic strolls or bike rides along the nearby river. Even during renovations at the community centre, the spirit of Viewbank Gardens never wavered. “No social activities, nothing. But we made the best of it with a sausage sizzle in the garage. People came out and had a great time. And thanks to the village manager, we even had a coffee machine. Happy hour in the garages was another highlight. It takes a fantastic community to organise and enjoy such moments,” she recalls. When asked to describe Viewbank Gardens in one word, Trish doesn’t hesitate: “Fantastic.”

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