Residents at an Australian retirement community take part in a track race day to demonstrate that growing old doesn’t mean slowing down
Forget quiet hallways. Forget bingo clichés. And forget Formula 1: Drive to Survive – the high-octane Formula 1 reality TV series that turned the sport into a global spectacle.
At Aveo’s Bayview Gardens retirement community in Sydney, residents are embracing a new mantra – drive to thrive.
A fortnight ago, 24 residents strapped into go-karts at Eastern Creek Karting and took over the track for a full race day – two heats, a grand final and a podium finish to crown the champion.
It looked more Formula 1 than retirement living, and that was exactly the point.
Bayview Gardens resident Martin Burton said the experience tapped into his lifelong love of motor racing.
“I could feel myself getting better with every lap,” he said.
“I’ve always believed if you want to do something, you get out there and do it. It doesn’t matter if you’re 7, 17 or 70. You’ve got to give it a go.”
Aveo Community Manager Melinda Akehurst said the event marked the biggest outing yet in the village’s “live your best life” series, which has included indoor skydiving and whitewater rafting.
“The residents are so pumped, and they spread that energy back through the whole village,” she said.
“We had six people join for the first time – our biggest group ever. And their grandkids think they’re amazing.”
Ms Akehurst said the impact went well beyond the track.
“This shows there’s so much fun to be had in a retirement village,” she said.
“Talk to your residents. Find out what they’ve always wanted to do. You go on the journey with them – it brings people closer and creates a happier, more connected community.”
Senior leaders from across the retirement living sector also joined residents on the grid, including Daniel Gannon, Executive Director of the Retirement Living Council.
“I saw a couple of residents who needed a hand getting into their go-karts. But once they were in, it was impossible to tell their age from the sidelines.
“It struck me as the perfect metaphor for retirement living. Gentle support is there from day one if residents need it, so they can remain independent for longer and keep living life on their terms.
“The residents were flying around a track, redefining what it is to be older in Australia. What I saw, from the back of the pack behind some real speed demons, wasn’t decline – it was momentum.
“People need to understand retirement living is not about retreating from life. It’s about building the right infrastructure around people so they can keep living independently, socially and confidently for longer. That is the powerful story this sector has to tell.”
Aveo Head of Portfolio Management Anthony Ibrahim said the day reflected a broader shift in how retirement living is being redefined.
“This is clearly not a community with quiet hallways and bingo on Tuesdays,” he said.
“People in retirement still want purpose, friendship and adventure. And the loudest thing we hear is they wish they’d moved in sooner.”
Longevity strategist Marcus Pearce said the residents’ mindset was the real takeaway.
“So many people think they’re too old to do something,” he said.
“What I love about these residents is they’re rejecting that idea entirely. All of us can take inspiration from that.”
First published on the Property Council of Australia website.