14 Jan, 2026
Irima, 95, recently celebrated three decades at Forestville Retirement Community. Originally from a citrus orchard in Kulnura near Gosford, she later settled in Belrose with her husband John, raising two children. Today, she is a proud grandmother of six and great-grandmother of four.
Irima chose Forestville to remain connected to the Northern Beaches community she loved. “We’d been living in Belrose, and I wanted to stay in the area because I’d joined Probus and enjoyed ballroom dancing. Later, I became the first walks organiser for the Forestville RSL Walking Group and led it for 10 years,” she recalls.
After John’s passing, Irima continued volunteering, including shopping for residents. It was through this work that she discovered Forestville Retirement Community. Its affordability and location made it the perfect choice.
Age hasn’t slowed Irima down. She lives independently, enjoys Mahjong, U3A courses, and regular lunches with friends. Known as one of the most tech-savvy residents, she embraced the Resident App early and stays connected via her iPad and Facebook. Her interest in technology began during her career at Rank Industries in the 1970s, where she learned computer skills when color TV production launched in Australia. “I saw it as an opportunity to stay in touch with what’s going on—and I’ve never regretted that,” she says.
Today, Irima uses her iPad to keep up with global news and community updates. Reflecting on her life, she offers advice: “Keep an open mind and consider others’ perspectives. Avoid judgment—unless you walk in someone else’s shoes, you can’t understand their journey.”
Community Manager Penny McIntyre praised Irima’s enthusiasm: “Recently, I helped her upload a photo celebrating her 30 years here. She was thrilled to see 21 likes and comments from friends worldwide, including Finland. It was wonderful to see her so connected and proud.”
Congratulations to Irima—a true example of resilience, community spirit, and lifelong learning.