What began as a small gestureduring a COVID-19 lockdown has become one of Blueheath’s most-loved traditions,with Ice Cream Day continuing to bringing residents together five years later.

The weekly event began in July 2021, when Blueheath was home to just a small number of households in Stage 1. Today, the community has grown into a vibrant hub with a full calendar of activities and social events, but the simple tradition of sharing an ice cream remains.

For Blueheath Operations Manager David Kelly, it started with an unexpected trip to Coles during lockdown to stock up on essentials, including milk and toilet paper, when he spotted boxed ice creams on special.

“I decided to grab a couple ofpacks as a little treat for the residents,” David said.

“It was a difficult time of isolation, so I thought this would be a great reason to see everyone and see how they were going.”

Blueheath was still in its infancy in mid-2021, without a village mailbox and with building work continuing aroundthe first homes. David hand-delivered the mail each day, giving him an opportunity to stay in touch with residents as he made his rounds. That Friday, he added ice creams to the delivery.

David says the response was immediate, and what was intended as a one-off gesture quickly became a weekly tradition. When restrictions eventually lifted, more residents had moved into Blueheath and the order got larger.

“The ice cream order certainly grew. I needed a cooler bag so I could get around to everyone without them melting,” David said.

Ice Cream Day had undoubtedly become part of life at Blueheath, so Principle Living chose to keep the tradition going as the community continued to grow.

Five years on, residents now gather together to enjoy their sweet treats rather than receiving them at their front doors, but the purpose remains the same.

“It’s become something that residents look forward to each week. It’s simple, but it brings people together,” David said.

It is this sense of connection that sits at the heart of life at Blueheath. From regular activities and social events to the small traditions that emerge along the way, residents have plenty of opportunities to meet, build friendships and enjoy life together.

And sometimes, all it takes is an ice cream!

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