Growing wellbeing for Daisy Hill retirees

At BlueCare Yurana Retirement Village, Roger Armstrong’s passion for gardening is helping grow something even more valuable than fresh produce – a strong sense of community and wellbeing.

Since moving into the village at Daisy Hill last year, Roger has transformed a garden space into a thriving fruit and vegetable patch, sharing the harvest with neighbours and bringing residents together through a love of fresh, homegrown food.

His initiative is an ideal example of what ‘Growing For Wellbeing Week’ is all about from 2-8 June – the international week dedicated to celebrating and recognising the profound impact of gardening and growing activities, on people’s overall wellbeing.

‘I couldn’t plant a thing when I arrived,’ Roger says. ‘By October, I’d cleared out what shouldn’t have been there, and then through October and November I got stuck in and built it all up.’

What now stands is a flourishing garden filled with seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruit.

Much of the produce finds its way into kitchens throughout the village, where residents enjoy the fresh flavours and the connections that come from sharing homegrown food.

Sharing produce with fellow residents has become one of Roger’s favourite parts of village life.

His passionfruit is particularly popular, with residents eagerly awaiting each harvest and often putting in early requests to secure a share.

Fresh herbs, leafy greens and citrus fruits are also regularly shared among neighbours, creating opportunities for conversations, friendships and small acts of generosity that help strengthen community connections.

‘It’s a lot of work,’ Roger admits, ‘but I’m having fun doing it.’

With a background in farming, Roger brings a lifetime of knowledge to his garden.

For Roger, retirement living has provided the time and space to continue doing something he loves while sharing it with others. His garden has become more than a hobby – it’s a way of contributing to the community and connecting with fellow residents.

Growing For Wellbeing Week highlights what Roger and his wife have come to discover at Yurana. It is a dedicated time to appreciate the therapeutic benefits of growing and gardening, nurturing plants, connecting with nature and fostering a sense of community.

PHOTOS: BlueCare Yurana Retirement Village resident Roger Armstrong with his community garden he has planted from the ground up at Daisy Hill.