Pursuing Your Passions

Around the world an increasing number of people are pursuing lifestyle careers, hobbies and businesses. When we were writing the first edition of
Where To Retire In Australia, we came across many people around Australia who had ‘retired’ and then started a profitable hobby, small business or had found work for a few days a week. We wrote up 101 of the stories in Retire Bizzi.

Although the income was important, it wasn‘t the only reason they had discovered new ways of working and having fun. For many it was a chance to do something they loved, have a new experience and contribute to the community. Most people said they could not imagine 'not doing something’.
We have a large number of stories of people here and overseas who are having the time of their lives.

We aim to bring you inspiring stories here.

Australia: “Retire Bizzi” and Make Money

From the American Association Of Retired Persons

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the number of small business operators aged over 50 rose by 7 percent between 1995 and 2004. Instead of using their retirement as 10-15 years of leisure time, older Australians are using their age and experience to launch successful small businesses. Authors Jill and Owen Weeks, co-directors of Lifestyle Matters Pty Ltd, took notice of this continuing trend while doing research for their book Where To Retire In Australia. Read more here

Retirement Passion And Purpose

Do you know someone that suffers from ‘Relevance Deprivation’ or the ‘I Used To Be’ syndrome? These are the people whose working lives have shaped them to such an extent that they haven’t been able to leave work behind. It doesn’t matter if they were a CEO of a multi-national company or a blue collar worker, the day after some people retire, they have lost their ‘title’….eg: ‘Chief Widget Maker’, ‘Top Banana’, ‘Second Banana’ and so on.
Read about retirement passion and purpose here

Graphic Design, Operation Cleft And Men's Sheds!

Brian Martin has a background in graphic designer…including lecturing at Swinburne University and running his own business (Electronic Studio Pty Ltd). He is also involved in Rotary and is a strong supporter of ‘Operation Cleft’, which his Rotary Club developed….it provides cleft operations for disadvantaged children in the Asia region. So far over 3,000 operations have been funded such inception. Then, there is Brian‘s involvement in Men's Sheds! Brian says that he is also 'working hard at my next “career” as a landscape artist specialising in pastels’.

Read about Brian's interesting and stimulating life here

Barcaldine Calls For Grey Nomad Volunteers

Do you want to have a different travel experience?, meet new people?, use your skills and knowledge? Well, Barcaldine may be the place for you.
Each year 15,000 - 20,000 grey nomads visit Barcaldine, a town with around 1,900 people. It‘s located 518 km west of Rockhampton, in central western Queensland. Barcaldine is known as the 'Garden City of the West’. Historically, the town is known as being where the Australian Labor Party had its beginnings and also for the great shearer's strike of 1891.

These days the town is also becoming known for its innovative program to harness the talents of grey nomads in voluntary projects. The skills, knowledge and experience are being used in a unique program.

The very enthusiastic and friendly Project Co-ordinator, is Douglas Stewart. Read our interview with him here

Retirees....Be On The Alert!!

Do you know people who seem to drift along in their second lives? You may know some of them: the ones who don’t have goals, aims and dreams? The ones who don’t have meaningful activity, but say they are ‘busy all the time’?

Those people should be on the alert! Read more here

Your True Age....

"Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health.
Some men are born old, and some never grow so."

This quote is attributed to Tyrone Edwards. Read on here

Your Lifestories....With Patti Miller

Have you ever thought about writing your memoirs, but were daunted by the task? For many the very thought of putting pen to paper is frightening! Fear not! There is a dynamic lady named Patti Miller, author, and 'Australia’s most experienced life–writing teacher’ who can help get you on your way. Patti not only conducts workshops around Australia, but in Fiji and Paris!

Read how you can learn to write your memoirs here

Retired?....Grey Nomads Work Their Passage

In their late 50s, Wayne and Charan Cason are among a new breed of workers whose versatile skills and old-fashioned work ethic are in high demand from WA businesses seeking to capitalise on the growing army of grey nomads across Australia.
The story is here

Retirement?

There‘s no stopping this couple in their 'retirement’ / second career / second life / ‘refirement’…call it what you will! Read about Alan and Audrey here. They‘ve even 'adopted’ a penguin from Victoria, Australia

Read their story here

Boomers Who Aren't Ready For Retirement Go In New Directions

By Sara K. Clarke
Orlando Sentinel

When Bonnie Sose first retired from the publishing business, she dreamed of spending her days reading, writing and travelling the world.
She quickly adjusted her expectations.
After about three months, I went mad, said the 59-year-old businesswoman from Orlando.

Read the story here

The Stationery Whizz

Have you ever despaired at the cost of good quality stationery? Julie Forbes found stationery to be expensive and not always of good quality. So, rather than complaining she did something about it! The result is a business called, Nôte Couture, that produces “high quality, reasonably priced personalised stationery”. Julie also adds, “I've gone from a well paid 4-day-a-week job in advertising to working 7 days a week for myself - you know what they say about bosses - "I used to work for an idiot, now I'm self employed and work for a lunatic”!

Julie's great story is here

'Age Makes No Difference'....Neilson Kite

Neilson Kite, a management consultant, says that ‘Age makes no difference’.At 65 he is still working full time.

He says, ‘Age makes no difference….’ Although some would argue that with increasing age, your mind makes appointments that your body may not be able to keep, it is an open and agile mind that makes more difference to your enterprise than your physical faculties. It is not necessary to be a workaholic to be successful.

Neilson's story is here

Time Share Boating

Yvonne Williams reports on time share boating: 'Here is a fantastic idea for those who love boating but can’t be bothered with all the hassles that go with ownership. Time share boating has become a very popular alternative to owning your own and companies providing these services have sprung up all over Australia. It’s a bit like joining a golf club you pay your fees and have access, in this case, to a fantastic cruiser and a brilliant lifestyle.

Yvonne's report is here

Yvonne And David Williams Test Drive The Audi Q7

One sunny morning, Yvonne and David Williams took a test drive of the Audi Q7 and drove to the beautiful Victorian seaside town of Queenscliff Read their comments here

Italy In Red

Yvonne Williams of wheeldestinations.com tempts you with a tour of Italy…with a difference….something for drivers as well as those who like to cook.

Read about Italy In Red here

Old Plod of Plympton

David Farley is a retired UK policeman. He retired as an Inspector in 1996, and was a police officer for 33 years. In his retirement he has a number of interests and also likes to ‘Blog’. The blog is called ‘Old Plod of Plympton’, with the comment: The hopes, thoughts and wishes of a retired English police officer who spends far too much time in front of his computer instead of taking exercise!

David's story is here

The Expat Genealogist!

Leone says that she takes as ‘many opportunities as I can’, and this has included moving to live in Singapore with her husband. The expat genealogist left behind her professional life in Australia, and says ‘I am calling myself a “lady of alternate pursuits”, rather than a “lady of leisure”, but I must add here that I have enjoyed my life outside of the workforce far greater than I thought possible’.

Leone's expat life and account of her family tree research is here

Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness

Helping others with their family trees is a passion of Rick‘s. He is a member of 'Random Acts Of Genealogical Kindness’. ‘RAOGK is a global volunteer organization. With over 4000 volunteers in every U.S. state and many international locations, we have helped thousands of researchers. Our volunteers take time to do everything from looking up courthouse records to taking pictures of tombstones.’

Rick's interesting RAOGK story is here

It's Gold!! For Hilary

It‘s not every day you meet a Gold Medal Winner…in Dragon Boat Racing! This was a first for Australia! Hilary's passion and enthusiam for her sport is clear when you read her story. Hilary says: 'It was such a proud moment for us all. I will never forget the feeling. Listening to the anthem and watching the Australian flag go up first was a tear-jerking time for us all’.

Hilary's amazing story is here

Simple Solutions For Difficult Problems

How do you adjust when you are forced out of business…and decide to move from the city to the country? Enterprising couple Carol Jones and Victor Pleshev took the leap and say, ‘We climbed the mountain and we now have 90,000 customers all over the world who love the products they’re using’. However, this is no ‘sugar coated’ story….they say that 'everything' was hard about establishing their business.
Carol and Victor's story is here

Pursuing Her Artistic Passion

Sandra Kranz lives in one of the most picturesque areas of Victoria…right at the foot of the majestic Grampians. She started to paint when she was six, but it was quite a few years later that Sandra became ‘serious’ about her passion.

Alison Barclay, in the Herald Sun, says: “For eight years, when living in Portland she rose every Saturday at 4.30am to catch a bus to Warrnambool, then a train to Melbourne, then another train to the Malvern Artists Society, where she studied from 1pm.” Sandra would arrive back in Portland at 11pm that night.

Alison also writes, “Sandra’s picture of the waterfront war, which hangs in the Maritime Union of Australia HQ, was a hit; 1000 copies were made, of which copies were given to former South African president Nelson Mandela and MV Tampa captain Arne Rinnan.”

Sandra is a warm and down to earth person who is quietly pursuing her passion.

Read Sandra's story here

Fun And Flying In The Outback

What do you, as a couple, do after 30 years of work? Put your feet up?, get the golf clubs ready?, collect the travel brochures? Not if you are Lyn and Darrell, who applied for a job in the Australian outback at a remote airport. Their enthusiasm and zest for the work is clear, despite the job often needing them to be on duty 24 hours a day, and it being being a 3 + hour drive on a 4X4 track to the nearest town…tough if you want to order a pizza! However, as Lyn says, 'You never knew what the day would bring. The mottos were “expect the unexpected” & “be careful what you wish for”. (We wished for a pizza once - and a helicopter pilot delivered 13 of them!).

Read their amazing story here

Thoughts....

What others have said about retirement, ageing, going forward.

Read them here

The Australian War Graves Photographic Archive

A chance meeting with a volunteer photographer from the Cassino War Cemetery in Italy was the start of Matt Smith's involvement with the Australian War Graves Photographic Archive. Having a passion for military history, Matt loves his involvement.

Matt's story is here

Flexible Employment Strategies

Jackie Cook is a dynamic person who continues to have an interesting journey. She is a qualified engineer and was the CEO of a $180M turnover organisation. Jackie has established a ‘full recruitment service that aims to assist employers in using non traditional methods of employment to fill those difficult gaps within their organisations. Full time, part-time and flexible placements’.

Jackie's story is here

Fun With Family Trees

Pursuing your passion can be dangerous! For Ian Marr it has meant being 'attacked by ants, a snake, treading on a rabbit, twisting my ankle several times, skirting around bee-hives, travelling on the back of a motor cycle and four-wheeled farm bike…..and, of course, been drenched by unexpected cloud bursts‘. Desite this he still loves his family tree research!!, saying, 'it’s still an interesting and worthwhile hobby/pastime’

Family tree buffs, and others, will enjoy reading his tale here

VIEW Clubs

V.I.E.W. Clubs were established by the Smith Family, with the purpose of promoting the Voice, Interest and Education of Women. VIEW has continued as an organisation with a twofold purpose: to provide a support network for women to meet in friendship and to support the work of The Smith Family.

Read about VIEW Clubs here

Great Story....Carol's Dad

From Carol….“My father was forced to retire twice. In 1974, when he was 63, the company forcibly retired everyone over the age of 50. Including all their senior management. Thousands of years of experience was shoved out the door. Hard to believe, isn't it?” However, read the whole story, and how he ended up working at something he enjoyed….
Click here

Classic Moves

Pam Heath had seen people move from their home into a retirement village or nursing home, and how important it was to get it ‘right’, so she started a business called ‘Classic Moves’. Pam had a background in education for 25 years before establishing her business.

To Read Pam's Story click here

Writer's World

Bubbly, enthusiastic, smart, warm….we could go on when describing Di Berold! She is the author of ‘Writer's World’, a book that inspires you to want to write. Have you ever considered writing the novel, poetry, your family history, a Club newsletter, snippets or musings? This is the book to have! It is easy to read, full of great ideas and a source that you will keep using.

Read About The Wonderful Writer's World Author

Dentist In A Box

Dr John Banky is a Dentist with a difference. He has invented ‘Dentist In A Box’, which is a Dental Emergency Kit, designed for people who are not near a dentist and need emergency (dental) First Aid. ‘Since its launch, it has penetrated markets such as the Australian Defence Forces, mining and exploration companies, commercial shipping fleets,sports organisations such as Australian Institute of Sport, AFL Medical Officers and an increasing number of sporting teams, schools within Australia and overseas’.

Read About The Dentist With A Difference

"Murder In The Pulpit..and Other Encouraging Essays' by Rev. Harlin Butterley

The Rev. Harlin Butterley is no ordinary ‘man of the cloth’. He is a man of many parts….Dean of Hobart, School Chaplain, Chairman of Brighton Grammar, Speaker, Rotarian…and author of ‘Poisoned While Preaching’ and his latest book, ‘"Murder In The Pulpit..and Other Encouraging Essays’.
In younger years he was known as ‘Harem Butterfly’!

Read About The Amazing Harlin Butterley

Early Days Of Retirement, By Gilbert Brown

The late, great, Gilbert Brown, for many years, enjoyed writing poetry. In this poem he writes on his early days of retirement.

Read About The Early Days Of Retirement

Why Stop?...The 50 Year Career In T.V...

If you‘re having fun, why stop? After a 50 year career in television, including 35 years as the host of 'The Price Is Right’, Bob Barker has decided to retire. We can't quite see him sitting around, and sure he will be doing something else.

Read About The Remarkable Bob Barker

From IT To 'Output Management'...Ed's Equine Story

From a career in ‘high tech Marketing, primarily developing software for hardware and software engineers’….to being the ‘CEO’ of an ‘Equine Output Management’ company….Ed has found a way to combine his love of horses with a business idea. It is a simple idea….and Ed‘s 'CEO’ title is a little different to the usual ‘CEO’ tag.

Read About Ed's Story

Fruit Bats....Not Acting Their Age

The Fruit Bats is an older adults circus program. Forget the gentle exercises that older people are reminded to do. As one member, Adele, said, ‘When you were four years old, did ever want to run away with the circus?….well come and join the Fruit Bats!’

Read About The Fruit Bats

Sick Of The Rat Race And Have IT Skills?

What does someone, who wanted a lifestyle change, do after 25 years in the IT industry, having worked in Melbourne, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok? You apply for a job that recognises your IT and management skills…a job that is interesting, challenging, takes you to an area where you can catch Barramundi before breakfast and work with friendly people.

Read About John's Story

Be A TADVIC Volunteer

Have you always wanted to modify or invent equipment? For over 10 years John Hansford, a retired engineer has been has been helping TADVIC (Technology for Independent Living).

‘TADVIC is a non-profit Victoria wide organisation whose technical volunteers make or modify equipment for people with disabilties whose need for physical independence cannot be met commercially’.

Read How John Is Helping TADVIC

Back To The Books!

Ever thought about returning to study? Terry has done more than thought about it. He has enrolled in a degree course and is loving it. Being unable to attend a university when he was younger, Terry has ‘seized the day’ and there is no stopping this dynamo! Terry's advice for those thinking of returning to study? “Give it a go; especially if you have never studied before but have always dreamt of it. One should never die with an ‘if only’ on your lips”.

Read Terry's Story Here

Sym - ply The Best!

Annette Sym is another inspiring person. Her story begins when she had a desire to write cookbooks with recipes that were healthy, easy to make and helped with weight loss. Despite challenges in the beginning, Annette has gone on to sell over 1.5 million cookbooks, appear in the media, speak at conferences, win awards……….the list goes on! Annette is an enthusiastic and bright person who says ‘her husband is her rock’, she is also inspired by “other people who have lost weight and small businesses that set up and do well”.

Read Annette's Inspiring Story

The Hospitality Locum Couple

Have you ever thought about managing apartments? Yvonne and David Williams did more than think about it…they found themselves jobs online.

The Williams say, ‘We thought it might be interesting to explore the idea of becoming a management couple in a Motel, resort or boutique hotel - with a view to perhaps taking up a position in Queensland or somewhere on the coast of NSW’.

Their Interesting Experience Is Here

(which included coping with 15 New Zealand Firemen who did the Haka opposite the hotel every day!")

Jumpin' Jim....who keeps on jumping around the world.

Meet Jim Brierley….he has been sky diving for quite a while, and has done 2,808 jumps, to date, and has skydived in: Hawaii, NZ, Jordan, Switzerland, Bali and Canada. His world ranking by age is “probably about 4th or 5th” When asked about his motto, he replied: ‘It sounds like a question I was once asked by an American war correspondent before an operation in Italy (which was aborted): “What do you guys shout before jumping; our boys yell 'Geronimo’? Nothing” I replied. I think my answer is in there somewhere.
Oh, and by the way, Jim is over 80 years of age, and Australia's oldest active skydiver (as far as he can tell).

Australian Skydiver magazine has written an entertaining article about Jim here

Travelling With Pets, An Innovative Idea

Julie Fischer was disappointed at not being able to travel with her dog. However, this has led to the establishment of an online business, that is being developed.
She says: ‘It was while contemplating some of the “restraints” of travelling with a pet (we certainly couldn't leave our Charlie behind) that I thought to myself, "wouldn't it be great if we knew someone in the place we happened to be, that thought like us, and would be happy to care for Charlie for a short time while we did whatever we wanted or needed to do’.

Read Julie's frank comments here

Passion In Perth...The Librarian Did What!?

When you have a passion for information and enjoy helping others, but don’t want to be confined to a library it’s time for a change. Chris Lees is no ordinary librarian…this dynamo from Perth has created a business she loves (‘Prepared Mind’) and is having fun.

Read How Chris Made The Change

Whippets and Pampering

What is the connection between Whippet dogs and a holiday in Noosa? Maureen and Warren’s hobby is a specialised one that has clients fly them to Noosa to look after their pets!
Read About Maureen and Warren’s Story

Sipping A Wine Or Two....

Colin Spencer has a lifestyle business that involves his family. The Spencer family took over a vineyard north-east of Melbourne. This is not for the faint hearted, but it is rewarding. Colin believes that retirees should not buy a winery without first knowing the pitfalls and the hard work involved. He suggests that one way for pre and post retirees to find out about the wine industry is to volunteer at a small winery. ‘Many small wineries would love people to volunteer for a few days a week, and sometimes this can lead on to paid work’, says Colin.

Read Colin's Candid Comments Here

From Sydney To One Of Victoria's Undiscovered Hotspots

Dale and Tom Dooley made the move from Sydney to one of the best lifestyle destinations in Australia. Not wanting to retire, but wanting to have a business in which they could both work, in a great country area, the Dooleys made the move. A friendly and innovative couple, they have involved themselves in the community and are loving the change.

Read about their move from Sydney to the Gippsland Lakes

A Scottish Experience With A Difference

Staying in a Scottish bed and breakfast was the start of new international friendships and experiences for one Australian couple. Mary and Bert are a delightful couple, who are in demand in Scotland and have introduced an Australian icon into Scotland!

Read their story here

The 4WD Club That Does Not Rush

One 4WD Club likes being called ‘Idlers’. With over 200 members, the Club likes to travel Australia in a leisurely manner. The Club's President, Sally Thornton, says this is an ideal Club for people who don't have deadlines to meet.

Read about the Idlers 4WD Club here

'Experienced Man's Skills Wanted And Valued By Company'

Graham Cooke was in his mid-50‘s when he decided it was time to move on after nearly 25 years, and it was a case of 'Where To Now?’ Fortunately, after a long search he found an employer who ‘looked across the divide of generations and glimpsed the worth of the individual’.

Read Graham's Story here

The Inventor Who Keeps Inventing!

Greg McKay has been inventing since he was about eight years old.
The Triton Foundation say: that 'Greg has an uncanny ability to problem solve.
So good are his skills, he has a business by default, where he contracts to large companies to find solutions to problems that seem to be impossible'.

Read Greg's Story here

The Minister Of Religion With A Passion For Shearing Sheds And.....

We are fortunate to meet many people who in their ‘retirement’ or second career are pursuing something they really love doing. Jim Donaldson is another enthusiast, who says: ‘Find your passion, and do not allow others to squash your enthusiasm. Persistence leads to achievement and goals’. Shearing sheds, Scottish emigration to Australia….are a few of his passions.

Read Jim's Story here

"Build It And They Will Come"

The Tinetti's have gone from dairy farming to the world of cricket. The entrepreneurial family from central Victoria have established a fantastic cricket venue where you can play in a team and also watch cricket bats being made.

Read their story here

Elements of a 'Portfolio Lifestyle'

Many people are rejecting traditional work patterns in favour of pursuing their passions. For some this will involve developing a ‘portfolio lifestyle’ that is made up of some or all of a range of elements.
Read About A Portfolio Lifestyle

70 Year Old Man 'Best Sales Person We've Had'

Every now and then, there are great stories…(and of course there needs to be many more stories like this!).

Last year a Manager of a company in Melbourne told me that one of his best employees was aged 70 when he was hired.

For more on this great story

Retire Bizzi

Read about the stories of 101 inspiring Australians….
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