Flying high in retirement and loving it at Bayview Gardens

Age is no barrier to adventure for a spirited group of residents from Bayview Gardens Retirement Living, who recently took to the skies in an exhilarating indoor skydiving experience at iFLY Penrith. 

Twelve residents, joined by two Bayview Gardens community team members and Daniel Gannon, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council, embraced the thrill of defying gravity, proving that retirement living is anything but boring.

The idea came from Melinda Akehurst, Community Manager at Bayview Gardens, inspired by a presentation from longevity expert Marcus Pearce at the Retirement Living Council’s (RLC) National Retirement Living Summit in June, where she also won the National Retirement Living Award for Community Manager of the Year. 

“The residents of Bayview Gardens decided to challenge themselves. They wanted to jump out of a plane, but we couldn’t get that through WHS, so we decided to do indoor skydiving instead,” Melinda said. 

Among the group was Pauline Milborrow, 86, who shared, “It’s something I’ve never done before, and you’re never too old to try something new. It’s just the achievement I think, just to be able to tick the box and say yes, I’ve done that.” 

For fellow resident Garry Leyshon, it was about embracing life, he said, “As you get older, you’ve got to experience new things, you’ve got to have things to look forward to, and you’ve got to challenge yourself as well. And being able to do it with a group of friends makes it even more special.” 

RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon, who joined residents in the wind tunnel, said the group exemplifies the benefits of living in a retirement community. 

“Many people think that aged care facilities or nursing homes are the same as retirement villages. This event clearly shows the difference, and it’s a vibrant example of the strong social connections and sense of community that make retirement living so rewarding,” Mr Gannon said. 

“Moving into a retirement village isn’t slowing down – it’s switching gears into a better life. Residents tell us they feel 41 per cent happier, are 15 per cent more active, catch up with loved ones twice as often, and are five times more socially connected. 

“Loneliness drops, wellbeing rises, and hospital visits fall – almost 20 per cent lower in the first nine months alone, preventing around 14,000 hospitalisations every year. That’s the real power of community.” 

What’s next for this thrill-seeking bunch? Melinda says more residents are keen to try indoor skydiving, and they are also thinking about whitewater rafting and go-karting. 

This experience highlights Aveo’s commitment to creating vibrant communities where residents can live life to the fullest.

Watch the full skydiving experience via the link below.