How Rob and Tina Embrace Peaceful Living at Oakfield Rise After a Lifetime of Travel

From distinguished careers to globe-trotting adventures; Rob and Tina are now enjoying the quiet life at Oakfield Rise.

Terri Pamment, Oakfield Rise Retirement Estate resident and editor of the resident newsletter, sent us a lovely profile of two Oakfield Rise residents, Rob and Tina Thornton, who recently celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary.

Migrating with her family from the UK in 1963 when she was 10 years old, Tina grew up in Brighton, SA. On finishing school she trained as a Registered Nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and worked in various clinical areas before marrying and having two children. After completing postgraduate studies she became a Nurse Educator and then a University Lecturer in Nursing. She then established herself as a freelance editor and spent the next 19 years editing books, PhD theses and journal articles for clients across the world. Finally retiring in 2018, she can now focus on her hobbies and spending time with husband Rob, her children and three grandchildren.

Rob was born in the Sydney suburb of Cammeray and joined the Marist Brothers for three years before studying and working in health for five decades as a clinician, educator, administrator and academic across Australia and in Japan. Before his retirement Rob was the manager of the Organ and Tissue Donation Program in Tasmania. Rob holds a PhD in Gerontology with a focus on the transition of older people into retirement villages and, in more recent years, has had experience with Advance Care Directives and behavioural triggers associated with dementia.

Rob and Tina have travelled and cruised extensively, and have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to meet people and see some marvellous scenery. They returned to SA after 20 years in Queensland and Tasmania to be closer to family and to support Tina’s parents who were living in Victor Harbor. They moved to Mount Barker after spending 9 years in Victor Harbor and still visit Tina’s mother regularly in her Estia Residential Care home in Encounter Bay.

Tina enjoys walking, Pilates, dressmaking, travel, cooking and family history. She reads voraciously, is a bit of a computer whiz and enjoys classical music. Rob’s pastimes include travelling, gardening, family history, and reading.

Rob enjoys meeting people and would never miss an opportunity to have a chat and learn something new. Some recent health challenges and surgery have left Rob unable to speak, but he continues to love life at Oakfield Rise and the supportive community environment.

“We had watched the estate develop and after comparing the options decided that this offered the space, location and quality build we needed. Oakfield Rise living met our criteria for a retirement village that is close to all facilities and public transport, offers a predictable social and physical environment and is well managed,” said Tina.

“We can assure all that despite being well academically qualified we have our feet on the ground and are always willing to help others. We love living at Oakfield Rise surrounded by such supportive and friendly fellow residents.”