Noeleen has been a resident of Arvida Bethlehem Country Club for eleven years and she struck up a close bond with Kay, Cathy and Sheila during their village happy hour.

“We met when we moved here and just sort of clicked. We shop, we drink, we laugh, and most importantly we have a blast!” Noeleen shares.

The group have enjoyed escapades to the Gold Coast, Wearable Art Awards, soaking in hot pools, and a country and western-themed cruise. The girls usually pack light for their adventures, but they always remember the wine, brandy and their sense of humour.

To celebrate their unforgettable adventures, the ladies had several t-shirts made and Sheila even had keyrings made for everyone using one of their photos. Now they always remember their trips when they reach for their keys.

Over the years the group has been through a lot together and became closer when two of them went through treatment for cancer. “I do feel like I’ve got friends for life,” Noeleen says.

Adventures have included the time when one lost the locker key only to find it in her shoe, and when all four searched high and low for the petrol door release on the rental car.

The girls all agree people should join in on activities when in a retirement village. “When you see there's a dance or exercise class, you should jump in with both feet to give it a go,” says Kay.

Their next adventure? New Plymouth, of course! Noeleen jokes, “Two of us share a room because the other two snore. We try to get them their own rooms every time.”