After decades leading schools across Queensland, Nev Fry found a new sense of purpose and connection in retirement life at The Village Taigum. Reflecting on the parallels between classroom leadership and community life on the bowling green, he says, “As a retired school principal, I’ve been fortunate to experience leadership in many forms—from one-teacher classrooms in country towns to a lively bowls club in a thriving retirement community. Both, in their own ways, have taught me about people, purpose, and the power of belonging.”
“My career took me and my wife, Marilyn, to many parts of Queensland, mostly in the north, before my final posting in Brisbane’s Bayside. We eventually settled in Carindale, and when the time came to think about the next stage of life, we sought a community of like-minded people—neighbours of similar ages, interests, and outlooks. Rather than remain in a large home with all its upkeep, we chose to move to The Village Taigum in 2018. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we’ve ever made.”
Not long after arriving, Nev noticed a new bowling green being built. Having taken up bowls some years earlier, he was keen to get involved. When the green opened in early 2019, a committee soon followed, and, in 2022, Nev took on the role of chair—a position he’ll soon hand over to new leadership.
With their distinctive bright orange shirts, The Village Taigum team is instantly recognisable when they walk onto the green.
“We do stand out,” Nev chuckles. “When we visit other villages they always tell us they know who we are when they see the orange shirts turn up.”
Nev organises competitions between residents and staff in the name of fun and friendly competition. He is hopeful more residents will discover The Village Taigum bowls club and try their arm at tapping the jack. There’s always willing participants, but Nev says there’s a few he’s yet to convert.
“We’ve got a lot of residents who bowl, but then there are others who say they suffer from generational trauma as the children of parents who were lawn bowls fanatics,” he laughs.
The Village Taigum bowling green is used for organised competition three days a week, with the remaining days reserved for social use.
Nev is instrumental in organising the annual intervillage bowls day, where teams from the Brisbane-based villages converge at The Village Taigum to compete for the Michael Harrison Memorial Trophy, which honours the memory of The Village Retirement Group founder Michael Harrison—the father of managing director Justin Harrison.
“We’ve built more than just a bowling club-we’ve built a social group. What makes the club special is its inclusiveness.”
“Justin Harrison comes along and presents the trophy to the winning team. Even though the Villages are not necessarily close to each other, they are creating connections and fellowships between residents.”
There’s a strong social bond between The Village Taigum’s bowlers, Nev explains: “We’ve built more than just a bowling club—we’ve built a social group. Bowls offers not just friendly competition but real social and physical benefits. What makes the club special is its inclusiveness—residents of all abilities play together. Our philosophy is simple: everyone who wants to play is welcome.”
