<< Peninsula News 27 August 2002 - Bill Heber

Bill Heber - the new face of retirees

Silver white hair and an aging face is the image of a typical retired 60-year-old.

But what about the sun kissed skin, defined muscles and the determination and stamina of the Masters of surf lifesaving?

It is a warm Sunday morning; hundreds of bronzed Aussies are crowded onto a popular surfing beach.

The familiar red and yellow flags are distinct between the number of events that are taking place in the sand.

It is the beginning of the masters' heats: 50 to 55-year-olds, 55 to 60-year-olds, and 60-year-olds and over.

The gun fires and the odd mixture of competitors race out to sea on their surf rescue boards.

One of the race competitors, 61-year-old Woy Woy resident Bill Heber, is typical of the new face of retirees.

A bank manager of 35 years, Bill retired in 1994 and has spent the past eight years in a retirement only dreamed of by his parents.

Like many of his generation, Bill has used his retired years to travel and be active.

For Bill, retirement is just "more time to put into other interest and activities".

Bill's tanned skin and robust physique reflect his active lifestyle.

Golf, bowls, swimming, paddling and the surf club take up the majority of Bill's week and that of his 62-year-old wife, Helen.

Their circle of friends are already involved in some or all of the activities.

Bill says: "Other retirees have been introduced into the surf club, swimming or paddling which has improved their health and involved them with other people."

Bill has become a member of the Surf Life Saving Club.

"I regard the Surf Life Saving Club as a community service with more effort and enjoyment."

Helping the nippers, assisting with running the club, patrolling the beach and competing in carnivals has been much more rewarding for Bill both mentally and physically.

As a result, he was awarded 2002 Best Carnival Competitor.

The long hours of a city bank manager, the many lunches with clients deciding whether to have mudcake or lemon baked cheesecake with extra cream are a world away from the lifestyle Bill is now leading.

Now he is deciding what sporting hobby to tackle next.

Having tried abseiling, canyoning, and the good old Aussie Rotary Romps, the Hebers' latest venture is sea kayaking.

"This is a new sport we have both taken up with different degrees of involvement."

Scheduled into both Bill and Helen's week are the regular twilight paddles on Wednesday evenings and adventure paddles on Saturdays.

Bill and five friends all around the same age have formed the Tea and Coffee Club.

The six men pack vacuum flasks and stop off during their kayaking for morning tea.

"Over a period we have built up our endurance and a four-hour paddle is easily achieved."

Last year, with a small group from people around Australia, Bill and Helen travelled to Turkey and paddled down the Dardenelles into Anzac Cove on portable sea kayaks.

Bill admits: "We chose this trip because it had a bit of adventure in it".

Having not travelled overseas, experiences such as touring the ancient ruins of Troy, has given them a feel for travel and they are planning more holidays and adventures for the future.

Sarah Judd, August 18