Queenscliffe ranked Australia’s oldest LGA, but it hasn’t slowed its residents down

The Borough of Queenscliffe is Australia’s oldest local government area. Its residents have shared why elderly people flock there.

One of Queenscliff Croquet Club's oldest members Enid Goodall, 90, with club captain Helen Lymer enjoy a morning of sport and socialising. Picture: Alison Wynd

When asked why they love where they live, residents in the Borough of Queenscliffe will tell you “everything”.

The Queenscliffe local government area (LGA) is the oldest in Australia based on median age of the population, Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows.

But the people of the borough sure do not let their collective age of 64.2 years slow them down.

Point Lonsdale’s Bev Taylor, 91, has lived in the LGA for 28 years, after moving from Niddrie with her husband Roy shortly after retiring.

“We had a caravan permanently in a local caravan park for 15 years and we’d been coming down every weekend, playing golf and bowls,” she said.

“I got a bit tired of driving backwards and forwards all the time and suggested we should move.

“Once he agreed I was down at the estate agents like a shot.”

Bev Taylor loves her home in Point Lonsdale after moving from a Melbourne suburb in 1996 with her husband. Picture: Alison Wynd

Speaking about her home, which sits on about a quarter acre, Ms Taylor said: “I love this particular block of land, I’ve never found anything advertised that I would swap this spot for.”

While she says she is not sure if she has aged gracefully Ms Taylor is still tending to her garden and attending a Bellarine Community Health’s social support group.

She said being and healthy eating were key to enjoying the later years of life, as well as spending time with family including her three children and six grandchildren.

“They say you should learn something new but I was happy with my interests that I already had,” she said.

“I just wanted to do more of that which was gardening outside, I sewed so mostly wore homemade clothes, cooked, and visited family or they came here.”

The median age of suburbs across the Geelong region ranges from Point Lonsdale – Queenscliff as the oldest, to Charlemont as the youngest at 32.2 years.

Portarlington is the second oldest at 60.8 years followed by Lorne – Anglesea at 56.3 years.

Barwon Heads – Armstrong Creek is the second youngest at 35.1 years, closely followed by Corio – Lovely Banks at 35.5 years.

The median age of the Geelong and Surf Coast region is 41.9 years, the exact median age of the country and younger than the whole of Victoria which is 43.2 years.

With members up to the age of 99 years old, the Queenscliff Croquet Club is also about keeping active and getting outside.

Club captain Helen Lymer said the club was seeing an influx of members from the growth of lifestyle retirement living in the region.

She moved from Geelong to Point Lonsdale three years ago and said she noticed it was much busier back in the city.

“I think you have to get yourself out there if you move to a quieter area, try and join as many clubs as you can to meet people,” she said.

“There’s lots to explore as we get older, although this game of croquet isn’t just for all old people, there’s some younger ones having a go as well.”

Denise Spark, 79, agreed with Ms Lymer and said there were lots of opportunities to explore interests when people retired, whether it is sports or arts or anything in between.

“Trying new interests is apparently the key to longevity too,” she said.

She said she enjoyed croquet for the camaraderie and being active outdoors year-round.

Living in Melbourne before retirement, Ms Spark said, was very different.

“What’s not to love, the coast, the greenery, more relaxed way of life and people are so friendly,” she said.

Enid Goodall is 90 and continues to play croquet.

She said it was a good idea after retirement to pick up a sport.

“You have to keep fit, you can’t just sit down all day and you have to keep yourself moving,” she said.

A Borough of Queenscliffe spokeswoman said what appealed to the older demographic of people in the LGA was the same that appealed to all people.

“A beautiful coastal setting, a gentle pace, and familiar townships with unique characteristics,” she said.

“And for those that live here, strong support networks and numerous communities of interests for people to connect with.”

The spokeswoman said there were opportunities from having an older median age of the population.

“Older citizens are often retired and will dedicate time to community activities, volunteering, and providing support in various capacities,” she said.

“Volunteerism contributes to the strengthening of community bonds in the Borough, and we are proud of our long-term high volunteer rates.”

Originally published as Queenscliffe ranked Australia’s oldest LGA, but it hasn’t slowed its residents down