Welcome to Marigal Gardens retirement village, where the residents are authors and artists, war heroes and bikers. Recently, a Spoonville has sprouted at the entrance, the joint effort of the retirees and the toddlers of the Early Learning Centre next door.
This was the brainchild of Nelly, the 61-year-old “baby” of the retirement village, and two-year-old granddaughter, Emilija.
Spoonville draws in passers-by to a village so colourful, it co-wrote a novel. Although you might not be able to tell by the uniform slate houses, the telltale signs peer at you through the windows.
“My husband and I have been here for four years, coming December,” said Nelly. “I’m known for running the events.
“1920s murder mystery nights, inviting different bands to preform, doing the lodge up like a cruise ship for a big ‘Maiden Voyage’ last year. And yes, we’ve started bingo.”
The village’s residents range from Nelly the youngest, to a 91-year-old woodworker “who’s got more energy than most of us!”
Their neighbours include retired sea captain Michael Taylor, who headed the HMAS Vampire, now found at the Australian National Maritime Museum, and Margitta Acker, author of Meat Pies and Mumbling Blokes, who came to Canberra when Lake Burley Griffin was non-existent.
“Some of the chats around the bar on a Friday night can be very interesting,” laughed Nelly.
No one knows Marigal’s secrets better than Nelly, who pens a column called ‘Getting to Know You’ in the village’s monthly newsletter, sharing the abundance of history between its walls.
It was her idea to put together the 21 chapters of real-life memories, experiences and some absolute fiction penned by the residents. Each story is centred on a tree – a symbol of power through age – and will be published this year.
But back to Spoonville. The lockdown-born trend originated in the UK and was adopted by Melburnian schools, photos of which Nelly found on social media. She decided to give it a go and made the first couple.
Then one day, a wooden pelican appeared, courtesy of her neighbour, Bob. The site was taken to by Emilija and her tiny peers, and soon Spoonville had an equally eclectic bunch of residents as Marigal itself.
Emilija’s favourite spoon is the Bluey spoon, and her favourite Marigal resident is, of course, her Nana.
Nelly, with her boundless energy and penchant for Friday nights, said the secret to being young at heart is to always stay active, help others, and keep your children and grandchildren close.
She and her husband, Vidas, lived in Kambah before coming to Marigal, often driving past, and wondering if they would be allowed to move in.
“We were talking about downsizing. For us, it was an economical decision to move in here; if we had to downsize out there, then we would have eventually had to make another move.
“We’ve loved it. No regrets. A lot of people have asked why we’re here so young, but I’ve never regretted it.
“I think people get stuck on age sometimes, but everybody is so lively here. They put me to shame.”
Currently Marigal Village has 71 villas, and just over 100 residents. The apartments currently being built on site are expected to bring in another hundred or so over the next few years.
“I plan on being here for a long time,” said Nelly. “My hope for Marigal is that it continues to be as sociable and friendly as the day we arrived.”
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