As you walk around genU’s Barwarre Gardens Retirement Village, you can’t help but be immediately impressed at how pristine and green everything is.
The immaculately kept gardens are superbly kept and the front yards of residents’ houses are lovingly seen to.
It’s serene, yet lively as an inter-village bowls match takes place at the three-rink green and the dog run is frequented by furry friends and their humans.
It genuinely feels like a village, not a stereotypical retirement home.
Residents Grant Goldsmith and Gail Ingleby are chair and deputy chair of the village’s resident’s committee.
Comfort and security are the main reasons why both love the village life.
“It’s comfortable and you feel secure,” Grant says.
“And that’s not just the gate being shut at night, it’s being with people.”
Gail and her husband have been at Barwarre Gardens for four years.
“We looked at retirement villages for so long and we looked at everyone and this hit the spot with us because it’s owned by genU, a not-for-profit organisation building inclusive communities through disability support, seniors, training and employment services,” she says.
“If something happens to one of us we’ve got a good community to look after the other one.
“I don’t think we have anybody in the whole village who would say they don’t care for everybody.”
“I feel when you come home at nighttime and it’s dark, I think ‘gee I’m home, it’s safe’,” Grant adds.
The village boasts a men’s workshop, a social club and groups, such as arts and crafts, singing, table tennis, line dancing, gym, library, caravan and boat storage and even belly dancing.
There’s a bus stop right outside that can whisk residents into town or to Marshall train station just down the road.
Both Grant and Gail love the fact that the houses are spread apart.
“The village is open, it’s not house upon house and pushed in together,” Grant says.
“We’ve got room around us.”
“They’re brick houses which was very important to us, and no steps,” Gail says.
“It’s been designed for comfort.”
Both Grant and Gail are full of praise for Barwarre Gardens’ staff.
“We get great support from the staff – you can get a little or a lot,” Grant says.
“genU also offer Home-Care Packages. Their team are very good at organising those.”
Barwarre Gardens is conveniently located on Barwarre Road, Marshall and has emerged to be an enjoyable and lively environment that prioritises socialising, engaging with others and, above all, staying well. Starting price $550,000 for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom home, depending on availability. Contact the team to discuss options, pricing and conditions today.
