Meet the people behind Seniors in Melbourne
Seniors in Melbourne is brought to life by a growing community of contributors who share their experiences exploring Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Some are rediscovering the city in retirement, others are lifelong locals, keen travellers, writers, history lovers or enthusiastic foodies — but they all bring their own personality, interests and perspective to what they do.
Community Contributors
These are some of the wonderful people behind the reviews, stories and outing ideas you’ll find on the website. They’re the ones catching trains into the city, wandering through galleries, comparing high teas (purely for research purposes), discovering hidden haunts and occasionally getting lost in Melbourne laneways so you don’t have to.
What makes Seniors in Melbourne special is the mix of lived experiences and perspectives shared by contributors and readers alike. Beyond the people featured here, we also have a fantastic wider community who regularly send through ideas, local tips and recommendations via our Facebook Group, newsletters and emails.
Meet Angie
Angie grew up in Melbourne before choosing a quieter life on the Bellarine Peninsula near Geelong. As well as part-time work, she volunteers in an organic vegetable garden, keeping her hands in the soil and her feet firmly grounded.
She loves day trips into Melbourne to explore its food, fashion and arts scene, travelling whenever possible by train, tram or ferry. Libraries are a favourite retreat, and when she’s not reading biographies, she’s seed-sharing with neighbours, cooking for family and friends, or hiking the Surf Coast and Otways.
Read some of Angie’s reviews:
Meet Dimi
Dimi is a proud Melbourne westside local, creative spirit and lifelong Western Bulldogs supporter. She has been involved with The Art Room for over 14 years and serves on the committee of the Williamstown Film Society.
She loves spending time with her two daughters and three grandchildren, enjoying theatre, gardening her veggie patch, and catching up over coffee in Yarraville.
Read some of Dimi’s reviews:
Meet Kathy
Kathy is an active retired local who enjoys making the most of Melbourne’s cultural life. A regular at her local Aquatic and Recreation Centre’s Active Adults program, she believes staying active is key to enjoying retirement.
She enjoys exhibitions, films and concerts, balanced with quieter time at home reading, gardening, cooking and staying connected with friends. Kathy brings a practical, down-to-earth perspective to her reviews, with a focus on accessible and enjoyable experiences.
Read some of Kathy’s reviews:
Meet Terrie (Amy’s Mum)
Terrie has had a lifelong connection with Melbourne, having worked in the city from the age of 15. Now retired, she is rediscovering it through weekly CBD adventures with fresh eyes.
After years of passing landmark buildings, she now enjoys stepping inside and exploring them properly. Guided tours are a particular favourite, bringing Melbourne’s history and transformation to life.
Read some of Terrie’s reviews:
Meet Chris (Amy’s Dad)
Chris is a retired cartographer with a lifelong love of maps, history and good food worth talking about afterwards. Now 75, he is rediscovering Melbourne’s CBD after nearly four decades away.
Exploring the city has reconnected him with forgotten memories, including family links to Flinders Street. He brings a thoughtful, observant approach to each outing, enjoying the intersection of past and present.
Read some of Chris’s reviews:
Download a free copy of our CBD map, produced by Chris
Meet Diane (Amy’s mother-in-law)
Diane enjoys her newly retired life on the Bellarine Peninsula with her husband, Rob, regularly visiting Melbourne for theatre, concerts and catch-ups with friends.
A former childhood educator of 30 years and passionate singer, she values creativity, learning and time with her grandchildren, often taking them on new adventures across the city.
Read Diane’s reviews:
Meet Siew
Siew is a Keilor local with an extraordinary energy for life. After a 50-year nursing career, she now teaches t’ai chi through her local council and stays actively involved in community groups.
She regularly visits Melbourne for gardens, films, footy, musicals and Malaysian food, and continues to travel widely, including repeat adventures across China and regional Victoria.
Read Siew’s contributions:
Meet Kaye H
Kaye is a lifelong city lover who fulfilled her dream of living in Melbourne’s CBD in 2019. From Southbank to Williamstown, she continues to explore the city on foot, discovering hidden details and architectural gems.
She brings a curious, observant perspective and enjoys uncovering the small things many people walk past.
Find some of Kaye’s contributions:
Meet Max
Max Primmer is a proud advocate, broadcaster and community volunteer based in central Victoria. He has spent decades supporting community radio, volunteering and advocacy work.
A strong advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, kidney health and organ donation, Max brings warmth, humour and a deep commitment to community connection. He enjoys exploring Melbourne and catching up with friends across regional Victoria.
Read some of Max’s contributions:
Travel Writers
As Seniors in Melbourne has grown, we’ve also welcomed a talented group of professional travel writers to the team. These experienced storytellers bring deep knowledge of Melbourne, regional Victoria and beyond, along with plenty of practical tips, local insight and great recommendations.
Our writers help add extra depth and expertise to the website — complementing our community reviews beautifully.
Most importantly, they share the same curiosity and passion for exploring that our readers do. They know that sometimes the best experiences are the unexpected ones: a tucked-away café, a fascinating local story, or a day trip that turns into a new favourite tradition.
Meet Marjie
Marjie Courtis is a retired telecommunications professional and lifelong traveller now focusing on writing and communication. Her travels span six continents, beginning with Papua New Guinea in 1972.
Curious and observant, she brings a thoughtful voice shaped by decades of exploration.
Read some of Marjie’s articles:
More articles by Marjie can be found at www.ozimage.com.au
Meet Nadine
Nadine Cresswell-Myatt is an award-winning Melbourne-based travel writer who has spent more than 25 years exploring Australia and the world in search of hidden gems, memorable experiences, and great stories. Alongside her travel writing career, she taught professional and creative writing for more than 30 years, helping new writers develop their voice and tell stories that connect with readers.
A lifelong solo traveller, Nadine took her first flight alone at just eight years old — an adventure that sparked a passion for travel that never faded. Today, she continues to travel both internationally and across Australia, specialising in everything from luxury escapes to affordable adventures, always with her trademark red carry-on bag.
When she’s not travelling, Nadine enjoys writing about culture, food, history, and the people and places that make Melbourne such a great destination to live in and explore.
Read some of Nadine’s articles:
- Alba Thermal Springs and Spa
- PARKROYAL Melbourne Airport Hotel
- Apps that make Retirement more Interesting
Follow Nadine’s adventures on Instagram at RedBagWillTravel
Meet Kaye F
Kaye Fallick is a writer, commentator and advocate with more than 30 years’ experience in travel, finance and retirement topics. She is a former publisher and co-founder of the website YourLifeChoices and a best-selling author.
Her writing is thoughtful, informed and grounded in real-world experience, with a focus on ageing well. She also has an incredible passion for her home, marvellous Melbourne.
Read some of Kaye’s articles:
Stay connected and inspired at kayefallick.com
Meet Paul
Paul Daffey is a Melbourne-based writer, editor and tour guide with deep knowledge of the city and surrounding regions. He brings a strong local perspective shaped by years of storytelling and guiding.
His work explores Melbourne’s history, culture, geography and people, with clarity and curiosity. He also partners with us to provide city walking tours, which continue to receive glowing praise.
Read some of Paul’s articles:
Learn more about Paul’s walking tours here
Meet Amy
Amy Gardner is the founder of Seniors in Melbourne and the person usually behind the camera, the newsletters, the social posts and many of the adventures shared on the website.
A professional travel writer and content creator based in Melbourne, Amy created Seniors in Melbourne to help people discover outings, experiences and hidden gems that are enjoyable, accessible and genuinely worth the trip.
What began as exploring the city with her retired parents has grown into a passionate community of contributors and readers who love sharing ideas, local tips and new discoveries around Melbourne and Victoria.
Amy especially enjoys supporting local businesses and finding ways to make Melbourne feel welcoming and exciting for anyone curious to explore.
This project is built on connection — between people, places and experiences.
If you’re a business, destination or creative who shares that same spirit, we’d love to chat about how we can work together to help more people discover the best of Melbourne and Victoria. Please get in touch here.