Retirement living on the Sunshine Coast: Jim and Julie’s story

Retirement living on the Sunshine Coast can mean different things to different people. For Jim and Julie, who met at Sundale Coolum Waters Retirement Village, it’s a chapter filled with friendship, creativity, new experiences and the occasional leap into the unknown.

An adventure worth saying yes to

Most people do not celebrate their eighties by jumping out of an aeroplane. Jim and Julie decided to give it a go.

At 85, Jim completed his second tandem skydive. Julie, 82, was taking the leap for the first time.

“I thought it was absolutely marvellous,” Julie says. “The whole experience was wonderful.”

Jim agrees: “It was great fun.”

It’s the kind of adventure that makes for a wonderful story, but for Jim and Julie, the skydive is just one example of their shared enthusiasm for trying something new. Their friendship has opened the door to experiences neither might have imagined when they first met.

How friendship became adventure

The pair met after moving to Sundale Coolum Waters Village. Conversations during walks became coffee catch-ups, outings and a close companionship.

What began with everyday conversations gradually developed into a friendship built around shared interests, curiosity and a willingness to say yes to opportunities.

Their adventures have included kayaking, a Murray River cruise, travel and playing music together.

Jim previously worked as an accountant and later as a mediator with the New South Wales Government. Julie spent many years as a hairdresser. Each brought a lifetime of interests and experiences to their friendship.

“Don’t just say no,” Jim says. “Why not?”

Julie has her own description: “I’m a doer.”

Together, they bring that outlook to life at Coolum Waters, showing how meaningful connections can enrich the retirement years.

Finding joy in a new chapter

Jim moved to Coolum Waters with his late wife, Florence, after almost 60 years of marriage.

When Florence passed away during the COVID pandemic, life changed profoundly.

Friendship with Julie did not replace that loss, but brought companionship and new experiences.

“Julie really lifted me up,” Jim says.

Their story is a reminder that new friendships can develop at any stage of life. Sometimes they begin with something as simple as a conversation on a morning walk.

For people exploring retirement living on the Sunshine Coast, opportunities to meet others and build genuine connections can be an important part of feeling at home in a new community.

The everyday things matter too

Back at Coolum Waters, their days are full of smaller pleasures.

Jim enjoys morning walks; Julie loves painting and gardening. They both paint, and each week they join the Coolum Heart Strings ukulele group.

“It’s just fun,” Julie says.

Their shared interests are as much a part of their story as the skydive.

While jumping from an aeroplane might be the most memorable adventure to share with friends and family, it’s often the everyday moments that make life enjoyable. A walk, a creative project, a musical gathering or a conversation over coffee can be just as meaningful.

At Coolum Waters Retirement Village, Jim and Julie have found ways to continue enjoying the interests they love while discovering new experiences together. Their story offers a personal glimpse into the friendships and connections that can become part of retirement village life.

Looking ahead

There are more trips and activities they hope to enjoy.

Jim has talked about visiting family in the United Kingdom and taking another skydive, while Julie is content to cheer him on from the ground.

For both of them, curiosity and companionship continue to make room for new experiences.

Their approach to retirement isn’t about slowing down or following a particular formula. It’s about making the most of the opportunities that come along, enjoying each other’s company and remaining open to what comes next.

From an extraordinary skydive to the simple pleasure of playing music together, Jim and Julie’s story shows that life can continue to hold surprises, adventures and meaningful connections at any age.

Explore Sundale Coolum Waters Retirement Village to learn more about retirement living on the Sunshine Coast.

Photo Credit: Leah Desborough