When Derek Chaney and his fellow Helena Valley Lifestyle Village residents head to the Mundaring Bowling Club to play, the group is affectionately known as “The Village People.”
Having played bowls for a number of years, Derek first heard about the over 50s lifestyle community from people at the Club.
“Some of the guys that were there already lived in the Village, and my wife and I came in the early stages and had a look,” he recalls.
A little over two years ago, the couple moved in.
“My wife was ill, and we were living in Mundaring on quite a big property, and I thought it was a good time to downsize, and it is beautiful here,” says Derek.
Now on his own, the great granddad of two says it was very helpful to have support around him following the passing of his beloved wife earlier this year.
“All the people here are very friendly,” Derek states.
“It’s also really good having the facilities and I’ve been to a few of the dances.”
When he recently returned to the UK for seven weeks, it was comforting to not have to worry about his two-bedroom (plus study) home, thanks to the safety of the gated community.
“It was a big bonus, and my next-door neighbours kept an eye on it for me,” explains Derek.
One thing he’s now keenly awaiting is the Village’s new bowling green, which is not far off being completed.
“It’ll be really good and will make a lot of difference because the other one was past its used by date and, as it only had three rinks, not everyone was able to get a game,” he enthuses.
“This one is being put in by Evergreen [Synthetic Grass] and they do all the bowling clubs, so it’s being professionally laid.”
Another thing he’s excited about is the arrival into the Village of other friends: “A couple of guys I play bowls with will be moving in here in the future, so I’m really looking forward to that too.”
Information in this article is true and correct as of 7 February 2024.
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