When Neville Rees moved into Stage 1 of Blueheath at the Bower four years ago, he was among the first residents to call the community home. Today, he’s one of its most familiar faces, well known for his friendly chats and legendary Happy Hour raffles.

“There were a few things that made us decide to move,” Neville said. “Primarily it was cost, security, the safety of a gated community and the feeling of looking forward to being within a village.”

But for Neville and his wife Dianne, it’s the people who have made Blueheath truly special.

“What I like best is the sense of family and community that both my wife and myself have been able to attain with the people that actually live here with us in the village,” he said.

Dianne has formed a network of very close friends since moving to Blueheath and always makes the effort to meet and welcome all new residents because she knows how important this is when making the move.

“Before my wife came here, she didn’t really know her neighbours wherever we lived,”Neville said.

“But here she’s got so much. She’s got a church group, she’s got her neighbours, and she talks to everybody. It’s just wonderful for her. Me, it doesn’t matter because I talk to anybody anyway,” he said.

It’s that light-hearted spirit that shines brightest on Fridays, when residents gather for Blueheath’s much-loved Happy Hour. “It’s a bit hard to ask me about my favourite part of the clubhouse because I love the Happy Hour raffles,”Neville said.

“Obviously I love them because I run them! The sense of community and village we have on our Friday Happy Hours, with our raffles and our lucky villa draws, it just draws people together. It’s another wonderful part of the village.”

For Neville, the strong sense of belonging is matched by appreciation for the support from Principle Living’s management team. “They’re a very big part of this place,” he said. “We were able to settle quickly because they made it so easy for us to do.”

And if you ask Neville what advice he’d give to anyone considering a move to Blueheath, his answer comes without hesitation. “Come and have a look at Blueheath. Come and have a talk to management. They’ll make you feel welcome,”he said.

“And if you can, have a look at one of the homes that’s already lived in. Everybody would be only too happy to show their homes off, because all the homes are beautiful. Talk to the people who live here, have a chat down in the clubhouse.

“What can I say? Come on down and enjoy the life. It’s like one big family.”

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