Fourteen talented residents of Aveo’s retirement communities have secured a date with fame after their art and crafts were chosen to feature in the 2025 Aveo Resident Art Competition Calendar.
With the theme ‘Grounded in Community’, this year’s annual calendar was highly competitive – more than 200 submissions were received from communities across the country.
Some of the showcased arts and crafts included paintings, quilting, knitting, mosaics, tapestry and even a model railway.
The featured artwork for February is a mural created by Hobart artist Carla Moora that has transformed a corner of Aveo’s Derwent Waters community at Claremont.
“I’ve been an artist since I could hold a pencil,’’ Carla said. “My art is in several different media and makes me feel good when I create something beautiful. I also teach art classes for other residents.
“When I was asked to consider painting a mural on a wall in the village, I decided to paint something with an outback feel and felt inspired by Albert Namatjira’s ‘Organ Pipes’ artwork. It also seemed appropriate as we look out at Mt Wellington (Kunanyi) and a section known as the ‘Organ Pipes’.
“My friend and neighbour Anne Flynn, also an artist, helped me paint the mural which we completed over four days.
“The mural area has become popular with residents who come down with a coffee or to watch their dogs in the near-by off-leash area while enjoying nature and the artwork.’’
Melbourne knitter Ruth Jones created a colourful shawl that was chosen for March.
“I started knitting at primary school and before I turned 11 I had completed my first jumper,’’ said Ruth, a resident of Aveo’s Redmond Park in Princes Park.
“I’ve always loved to knit but when my children arrived, I put knitting aside but then picked it up again later. Now I can’t stop! I often have two or three projects on the go at the same time.
“There is a group of knitters here in the community and we gather every Friday to work on our current projects.
“The shawl chosen for the calendar was designed by Stephen West, an internationally renowned knitter who lives in Amsterdam. He has regular knit-along projects where the patterns are sent in instalments. It’s very enjoyable.’’
Derek Holliday, of Aveo’s Robertson Park in Brisbane’s south, has had a lifelong passion for trains and model rail making.
A mechanical engineer who designed rolling stock for Queensland Rail before retirement, Derek has been making model rail projects for 50 years. He carefully crafts the buildings and scenery, and imports the model trains.
His model that features in the 2025 calendar is of a fictitious station at Birchvale in Britain’s Peak District where he once lived.
“Several of the residents at Robertson Park enjoy visiting the model and the trains have been a wonderful way of introducing me to many other members of the community,’’ Derek said.
For more information about Aveo’s communities, call 13 28 36 or visit aveo.com.au.
About Aveo
As Australia’s leading and most innovative retirement living provider Aveo owns and manages a diverse portfolio of communities. For over 30 years, Aveo has been dedicated to helping retired Australians be their best selves across every stage of their later life journey. Aveo is committed to delivering the best retirement living options, continually listening and learning about what our customers want so that we can provide and foster communities where you can truly live well. www.aveo.com.au
