Summer 2020 The joy of gratitude www.livingchoice.com.au The choice of luxury and the luxury of choice INVESTING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA’S YOUTH Helping young people like Youth Opportunities graduate, Jadzia, to realise their full potential is enormously gratifying for Living Choice directors, Graham Hobbs and Ian Tregoning. Graham and Ian are long-time supporters of Youth Opportunities, an SA-based non-profit organisation which equips young people with Youth Opportunities graduate, Jadzia, Living Choice director Graham Hobbs, Youth lifelong skills, habits and the confidence to Opportunities Ambassador Peter Carey and Living Choice director, Ian Tregoning. thrive. Each year, they donate $100,000 to Youth Opportunities and in 2019, the cheque was presented at the Ground-Breaking Ceremony dream of completing a double degree in Archaeology and of Living Choice Flagstaff Hill. Fittingly, this year it was Environmental Science, with the goal of one day achieving presented at the opening of the village’s first display home. her PhD in Archaeology. “The combined contributions of Living Choice and the “I will be the first in my family to attend university, and Shining the light on gratitude directors’ second company, EDP Hotels, will now see more because of the Youth Opportunities program I feel much than $2-million invested in the state’s young people during better prepared for the work that is needed to complete the partnership, which extends more than a decade,” said my degree. During high school, my study time was Living Choice is grateful to its Weekend Ambassadors who ‘man’ the sales offices at their respective villages every weekend. Special thanks to the Erin Faehrmann, CEO of Youth Opportunities. often impacted as I was also responsible for caring for Woodcroft Ambassadors who are helping out at Living Choice’s newest village, Flagstaff Hill. Pictured are June and Tony Warren. my siblings. But I always believed that education was “Because of the partnership with Living Choice, we can important, and that I was capable of achieving my goals if support our state’s youth to become personal leaders in Gratitude – such a powerful word which can transform a lockdown. Fullarton resident Barb Juma, who has lived I set my mind to it. their own lives, focusing on improving their self-esteem, person’s life if it becomes part of your everyday thought through political revolutions and wars, reminds us to confidence, resilience and ability to plan for their future, “Through the help of the teachers at my school, and process. Some people even keep a “gratitude journal” to “look for the silver lining” and Olive Pepper at Woodcroft which ultimately affects their mental wellbeing,” she through completing the Youth Opportunities program, record the simple things that bring them joy every day. inspires us to take up a hobby – she has completed 50 added. I became more motivated to complete my work, and Others say that gratitude is the best medicine, healing paintings since March! developed important skills, such as time management. your mind, body and spirit. The presentation was attended by Jadzia, a Youth There’s also news of an amazing Glenhaven resident, I would often complete my work throughout recess and Opportunities graduate who was able to follow her During the COVID-19 pandemic it has sometimes been Warwick Brown, who was a professional racing driver lunch at school, instead of spending the time with friends, university aspirations after winning a tertiary education difficult to feel ‘grateful’. Living Choice residents have had and pilot. Our staff arranged for him to meet Harrison as it was difficult for me to do so at home. With the help scholarship in 2019, thanks to the Adam Scott Foundation to suspend many social activities, some have not been able Goodman, a young racing driver we are part-sponsoring. of this scholarship, I will be able to focus my time on and its partnership with Youth Opportunities. Now in to see their families and grandchildren and overseas travel Coincidentally, Harrison is studying to be a pilot too, so achieving my education, rather than the financing of my her second year at university, Jadzia is following her has stopped. It has also been challenging for Living Choice they had plenty to talk about! education.” staff members to implement the ever-changing State As directors, we are also feeling grateful – for the many guidelines, many of which affect functions and activities referrals Living Choice received during the 2019/2020 in the village. Open days have had to be cancelled and financial year, which accounted for a record 60 percent of strict rules have had to be implemented to enable sales PROUD SUPPORTER OF YOUTH settlements. With many open days and marketing events tours to take place. being delayed due to COVID-19, we are relying heavily on OPPORTUNITIES GOLF DAY However, many residents have found there is much to be referrals to achieve sales in the next year too. We are also grateful for. Instead of feeling miserable, they are counting grateful to our many staff members for their hard work in their blessings, finding joy in reaching out to others and achieving these referrals and ensuring our villages are safe This year’s Youth Opportunities Golf Day was held at choosing to live life to the fullest. This issue of Choice havens during these uncertain times. Glenelg Golf Club in September and the event was hugely Living magazine shines a light on those who feel grateful successful, raising more than $90,000! Living Choice was We are also grateful that we were able to continue our The Magain Real Estate sponsored teams comprising Paul Rogers, Adam Ducaine, for many different reasons. The one thing they do have a Gold Sponsor and the team “manned” a stand on the 3rd Wendy Greig, Karin Harris, Bec Hughes and Mike Dobbin at the Living Choice hole. annual donation to Youth Opportunities, a non-profit in common, however, is their compassion, kindness and hole, supplying golfers with refreshments and information organisation which assists young people to achieve their positive outlook on life. about Living Choice’s SA villages. full potential. Thank you to program graduate, Jadzia, who summed up the impact your support will continue to have Articles include one from COVID-19 survivor, Mary has written an article expressing her gratitude – see page 3. Erin Faerhmann, Chief Executive of Youth Opportunities, on young people across SA, for which we are grateful.” Sharp of Twin Waters and her gratitude to the Health said that for more than 22 years, Youth Opportunities Kind regards Karina said, “Right now, I am so happy to be here and share Department, Peter Cutting’s medical miracle at Kawana had been delivering evidence-based personal leadership my story with you, as I am grateful to have participated Graham Hobbs & Ian Tregoning Island, how residents celebrated World Gratitude Day at and wellbeing programs across metro and regional SA, in this program. And to be at this point with my mental Glenhaven and how the gardening teams at many villages Directors, Living Choice Australia made possible only because of the support of partners like health that I can proudly claim that I am on my journey are bringing extra joy to residents during the semi- Living Choice. to a better future and long-term happiness, with life’s flaws “Our student speaker for Golf Day 2020, Karina, perfectly and all.” COVER PHOTO: Living Choice Alloura Waters resident, Mirabel Coulter, appreciates the hard work of Head Gardener, Trudie Allan and her team. 3 CHOICE LIVING Warwick won many trophies during his career WARWICK & HARRISON as a racing driver. SHARE PASSION FOR RACING & AVIATION Living Choice villages have attracted a diverse range of amazing people who have incredibly interesting backgrounds. Recently, we discovered that Warwick Warwick Brown shows Harrison Goodman his racing jacket. Brown, who lives at Living Choice Glenhaven with his wife Suzy, was a professional motor racing driver and then an ATPL Commercial Pilot. The Falcon 20F business jet that Warwick flew from 2012 to 2019. Coincidentally, Living Choice had just agreed to sponsor a promising young racing driver, Harrison Goodman, who is also studying to become a commercial pilot. NSW Regional Manager, Gail Eyres, arranged for Warwick and Harrison to meet and not surprisingly, the two got on like a house on fire! Harrison managed to get three test days in his car at Winton Raceway in Victoria before the shutdown. Warwick at Oran Park Raceway in the Lola T 332. THE NEED FOR SPEED REACHING FOR THE STARS During the 1970’s Warwick Brown raced open wheeler the 4 races, becoming the only driver to ever achieve a In late 2017, Harrison Goodman asked his dad Phil in the last race of the NSW Championship and coming cars at the highest level, including racing Formula 1 for whitewash of an international series. Goodman (Choice Living Avoca Project Director) if he 15th overall in the National Championships. Frank Williams in 1976. At the time he became the 9th could have a trial at car racing. Although he had always In 1978, Warwick was also runner-up in the US Can-Am In 2019 Harrison again raced in the National ever Australian driver behind such luminaries as Sir Jack had a passion for cars, he had not done any go-karting series. The winner was Alan Jones who two years later, Championships, coming 9th overall. He also attended Brabham, Alan Jones MBE and following his time, Mark and had not shown any interest in taking up the sport went on to win the 1980 Formula 1 World Championship. University studying Aviation so it was a busy time.