Mel Gear and Rhonda Kavanagh
As you read this, Mel Gear and Rhonda Kavanagh are probably cruising the Coral Sea on their motor-yacht designed by iconic Aussie boat builder Maritimo.
“We love boating and the east coast of Australia has some of the finest boating in the world,” says Mel. “In 2020 Rhonda and I discovered Sanctuary Cove when we purchased a new Maritimo M55 motor yacht from BMS Maritimo located in the Village. We fell in love with the Sanctuary Cove lifestyle.”
The couple had been living in the United States and wanted a home base for their south seas cruising adventures. Sanctuary Cove’s marina, golf and buggy lifestyle offered all the right amenities. After searching for months they found the perfect home in the Cove, lakeside on the golf course, in May 2023.
Since that time, they’ve made friends that they say are an extension of their family. “The Village has a very warm feel and a great sense of community.”
Mel and Rhonda’s personal love story began in 2012 when Mel, an engineer, moved to the US after retiring from the corporate world. “I met Rhonda, who was an executive with a Fortune 500 company, and we lived in Hawaii for over 10 years.”
Based in Perth, WA, his role as International Commercial Technical Manager for Rheem, a Japanese-owned multinational, had previously seen him travel extensively throughout Europe, Africa and Asia.
“We decided to move back to Australia in 2023 with Rhonda continuing her position as the CEO of a private company, traveling between the United States and Australia, while we transition into retirement.”
The couple’s two dogs, Cleo, a hound mix, and Chepi, a cute hairless Xolo, will become Australian citizens in March when they join Mel and Rhonda in their new home.
Besides the excellent boating facilities at the Cove, including a first-class marina with what Mel says are very professional and friendly staff, the couple enjoy golf and recently joined Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club.
In the future they hope to cruise the Whitsunday Islands for the third time as well as explore The Kimberley, southern Australian states, New Zealand and Fiji on their motor yacht Pau Hana. If you are wondering what Pau Hana means, in the Hawaiian language the literal translation is “done work” or time to relax with family and friends for sundowners!
