Highland Skies

Highland Skies

Upon entering our display space in Station Street, Bowral, your eye will immediately be drawn to the two magnificent artworks that are now hanging on our walls. The large canvases, capturing the atmospheric skies of the Southern Highlands, are the work of local Bundanoon artist, Del Cooley.

Del obtained her degree in Fine Arts from RMIT University in Melbourne. Twenty years ago, Del and her husband moved to the Southern Highlands, where she has continued to create and exhibit her stunning artworks. Her style has evolved over the years, but the core of Del’s talent lies in her abstract scapes. Del says exhibiting has always been first and foremost for her, and the painterly abstract qualities of all work has meant many successful showings in Sydney and Melbourne.  Del also has a love of teaching and has inspired many students locally.

Del says she is inspired by a “feeling” rather than something she sees. She starts with blocks of colour and then the painting just takes on a life of its own. The process takes a long time, sometimes months, as when Del finishes a painting, she’s happy at first, but as time passes, can’t resist adding some finishing touches.

We love to host visitors in our display to enjoy Del’s work as much as we do! Her works, Infinity and Highland Sky await or visit Del’s website, www.delcooley.com.

Jewel In The Crown

Jewel In The Crown

As part of our extensive landscape plan, we will be restoring the original garden around the main building and the chapel to its former glory for all Residents and their visitors to enjoy.

Located to the north of the rose garden is a magnificent 100- year-old oak tree, which our landscape architect says is “The Jewel in the Crown” of the garden. With its impressive domed canopy and broadly branching habit, it certainly provides a “wow” factor.

In Winter, the bare branches allow the warmth of filtered sunlight through, in Summer the bright green foliage provides welcome relief from the hot sun. During Spring the branches are filled with sprays of tiny green flowers and new leaf growth and in Autumn it explodes into a mass of vibrant yellows, reds and orange.

We are very proud to be the custodians of this most wonderful gift of nature.

Why The Southern Highlands?

Why the Southern Highlands?

Well known for its climate, with four distinctive seasons, picturesque landscape and vibrant shopping centres, its easy to see why the Southern Highlands is the perfect area in which to retire. Bowral, the largest of the Southern Highlands towns, is home to an eclectic array of restaurants, coffee shops, wineries, country markets, literary events, boutique shops, art galleries and a four-screen movie theatre. There are a wide range of medical practices, specialist services, private and public hospitals.

A short drive will take you to the towns of Moss Vale and Mittagong where you will find more eateries and wineries, amazing home ware shops, antique markets, a playhouse and the civic centre. Driving on a little further and you will discover a plethora of small villages, the “hidden gems” for which the Southern Highlands is renowned, Berrima, Burrawang, Exeter, Kangaloon, Avoca, Bundanoon and Sutton Forest to name a few. Tree lined country lanes, quirky local pubs and magnificent secret gardens are amongst the treasures that you’ll encounter. You never know what you’ll find around a corner and you most certainly won’t ever tire of the landscapes!