Older individuals in regional Qld trip into retirement with enjoyable and health

It’s a crisp, winter morning, however the cool breeze is not stopping Caroline Holliday from hitting the water for a surf.

“For one morning a week, I can do something I absolutely love,” she smiled.

Ms Holliday, 68, is a member of the Gold Coast Granny Grommets, a fun-loving group for girls over 50 who take pleasure in browsing and bodyboarding.

“It’s wonderful to do it in such a beautiful part of the world and with people that are like-minded,” she mentioned.

Finding friendships by means of enjoyable and health — and a boogie board — on the golden seashores of Queensland’s Gold Coast has change into a brand new way of life for Ms Holliday.

“It’s winter now, so numbers are a bit small, but we’ve got a group of about five of us that come every week without fail and get in the cold water regardless of the temperature,” she mentioned.

Age no barrier

According to the Granny Grommets, there is not any age restrict on having fun with the ocean and forming new connections.

“You leave the workforce, I’ve retired recently, and all those connections you have there are gone.

“Having that [social] connection could be very, crucial … it most likely outweighs the bodily [benefits], although that is actually necessary too.”

Fellow Granny Grommet Lesley Vick, 64, echoed the significance of staying energetic as you age.

She mentioned browsing had made her fitter and improved her confidence.

“I believe it’s a must to make it a precedence each day. So for me, I prepare each day in a roundabout way or different and that is only a actually good enjoyable means of doing it.

“You get the social [side as well], usually you get breakfast after so it’s great.”

Masters rowing ‘like a males’s shed’

Away from the large cities, Australians residing in regional and rural areas are additionally embracing wholesome habits.

As the solar rises in central Queensland, a bunch of like-minded older males emerge within the distance on Rockhampton’s Fitzroy River.

They’re coming back from their common morning out on the water.

“We row two or three times a week,” Simon Irwin, 62, quipped.

“We’re so lucky to be here because as you can see, the kookaburras are singing and there’s not a ripple on the water … so you just can’t ask for better.”

The grasp rowers, who’re over 60, jokingly nicknamed themselves the Fitzroy Fossils.

And other than the same old banter on the boat, there is a severe facet that contributes to bodily well-being and social connections.

“Rowing’s a team sport and you’re doing something that’s a collective endeavour and I think that’s really important too.”

Stuart Kininmonth, 60, has rowed in picturesque settings all world wide.

“I actually started rowing back in the early 80s … from a physical training point of view there’s nothing better,” he mentioned.

According to Mr Kininmonth, what occurs on the boat, stays on the boat.

“Every now and then we’ll stop and then we’ll chat and the conversations go all over the place,” he mentioned.

It’s by no means too late to begin

Queensland, like many areas world wide, has an ageing inhabitants.

In 2023, greater than 926,000 Queenslanders have been 65 or older and the Australian Bureau of Statistics tasks that by 2053, multiple in 5 Queenslanders will probably be 65 years or older.

Stephanie Alley, a lecturer and tutorial researcher in Health Science at CQUniversity, researches the promotion of wholesome ageing in communities by means of social engagement and bodily exercise.

“It also reduces the risk of most chronic illnesses, including diabetes, some cancers and heart health in particular, so it really has an impact across the board.”

Dr Alley mentioned social connectedness was additionally an necessary issue for each bodily and psychological well being.

She mentioned there have been some limitations to bodily exercise in regional and rural areas, equivalent to geographic location and lack of entry to sources like gyms or organised sports activities applications.

Nevertheless, ageing communities throughout the nation are growing their very own initiatives, equivalent to health teams or strolling golf equipment, to encourage participation in bodily exercise.

“When we’re trying to create a healthy habit we rely a lot on motivation and when our motivation drops it’s so important to have a community or a group of friends or a sporting group around us to help us keep on track,” Dr Alley mentioned.

“The advantages of bodily exercise are past simply the bodily.

Whether it’s a daily walk, catching a wave or a weekend masters rowing regatta, there’s a growing awareness in older Australians to improve their health and well-being.

“I believe it is actually necessary, you seize up, you simply rust out,” Mr Irwin mentioned.

This story is a part of a five-part collection exploring how regional Queenslanders are ageing properly outdoors the capital metropolis.