Clutching a bouquet of flowers almost bigger than herself, Erina resident Marion Laycock Robey has celebrated her 100th birthday with a “ton’’ of memories about life on the NSW Central Coast.
The former Sydneysider, whose earliest recollections also include watching the Harbour Bridge being built from her bedroom window in the 1920s, marked her milestone with her closest friends and family at RetireAustralia’s Wood Glen Retirement Village this month.
Although she grew up in Sydney’s harbourside suburb of Bellevue Hill, Marion has always had a strong connection with the Coast.
Proudly showing off a sepia-toned photograph of her and her older sister on the beach at nearby Terrigal in 1923, she recalled long, fun-filled holidays with her family each year at a perfectly positioned house in Painters Lane.
“We Ioved every moment of it,’’ said Marion. “We spent six weeks of every summer here.
“The trip from Sydney would take eight hours, including a wait to cross the Hawkesbury River on a punt.’’
Although Terrigal looked vastly different in those days, the family’s accommodation was in the heart of the region and literally only minutes to the water.
These days, Marion is a well-known and popular resident of Wood Glen, having moved to the village from Wamberal almost 20 years ago with her husband Lance.
Although Lance has since passed away, Marion – who has three children, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren – still feels very much at home at Wood Glen, located in beautiful surroundings close to all of life’s everyday essentials.
“The people and staff really make it feel like home,’’ said Marion, who enjoys socialising with others at the village, playing Bridge and gardening.
“For me, one of life’s true joys – which hasn’t changed throughout the years – is being amongst great friends and neighbours, as well as family.’’
Wood Glen Village Manager Vanessa Fordyce said Marion’s 100th birthday was a special moment for the residents, who were all part of a close, supportive community.
“We’re renowned for our friendly atmosphere and everyone is made to feel part of the ‘Wood Glen family’. Marion’s birthday is another great milestone for our community,’’ she said.
Ms Fordyce said one of the advantages of living at Wood Glen was that homes were designed to adapt to residents’ changing needs, giving them peace of mind for the future.
The latest addition to Wood Glen, a vertical retirement development known as The Rise, exemplifies this philosophy by allowing residents to remain independent, knowing they can take advantage of RetireAustralia Home Care services if needed at a later stage.
The recently opened first stage of The Rise offers a collection of 24 architecturally-designed deluxe apartments featuring spectacular views and a wide array of resort-style private amenities.
Wood Glen is across the road from Erina Fair shopping centre and close to local beaches, nature reserves, medical and other services and a wide range of shops, dining and entertainment options.
Its range of exclusive community facilities include a resort-style lodge, hairdressing salon, library, pool, spa, gymnasium, and bowls green, with two and three-bedroom apartments priced from $599,000.
To find out more about The Rise at Wood Glen or to speak to one of our friendly sales team members, visit www.therise.com.au or call 1800 955 070.
