Bolton Clarke Westhaven Residents Get a Buzz Out Of Native Bees

For some, bee-keeping is a lifelong passion and for others it’s a joyous hobby. For Toowoomba residents Elmore Lloyd and Dennis Law it’s both.

Having worked in the farming sector for much of their lives, a move into a Retirement Village was a big change for the two strangers.

But their doubts soon vanished and a friendship was forged as the pair bonded over their love of bee-keeping – a love they were able to revive in their new home at Bolton Clarke’s Westhaven Village.

Elmore said after staying with friends on Bribie Island who had native bees he knew it was something he’d enjoy.

So when he made the move into his new home in December, he was delighted to discover he could kick-start a new hobby and had someone to share it with.

71-year-old Dennis, who only moved into the Village a month prior, was already experienced in the art, having built and cared for his hive in his previous Bolton Clarke Village at Maryborough.

“Elmore and I are much the same and there’s a lot to learn,” he said.

“It’s an interesting hobby – it takes a lot of time.”

Dennis was active in the Men’s Shed in Maryborough and wanted to keep enjoying his hobbies when he moved to the Village.

“You get into many things in these villages,” he said.

“A lot of people have their own crafts, some do Tai Chi or play cards.”

Village manager Vanessa Nugent said she loved supporting residents to keep doing the things they enjoyed and giving them the flexibility to be themselves.

Bolton Clarke’s Westhaven Retirement Village has a variety of facilities and services designed for wellbeing and physical health, including a heated pool and spa, tai chi and aqua-aerobics classes and exercise sessions aimed at memory, balance and fitness. Residents can also take advantage of a mobile fresh seafood, fruit & vegetable delivery service.

Find out more about Bolton Clarke.