Christmas greetings from Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown

It’s the most wonderful time of the year and what a year 2024 has been!

Here at Samford Grove, village life is flourishing – reflecting the positive impact of our collective efforts and the strong foundations we’ve built. Of course, none of this would be possible without the unwavering support of everyone at Reside Communities.

As we reflect on the milestones and achievements of 2024, we’re reminded of the power of connection, collaboration, and continuous enthusiasm. And there’s plenty to celebrate!

Here are some of the highlights from this year…

 

Community celebrates official completion in style

It was fantastic to celebrate the $80 million expansion of Samford Grove, which has now sold out.

As well as delivering more than 100 much-needed homes for local retirees, the three-year redevelopment project also included the construction of The Homestead – a luxury community centre with café, lounge, bar, cinema, indoor pool, gym, beauty salon, consultation room for visiting practitioners and alfresco barbecue areas and gardens.

We marked the occasion with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and residents’ lunch.

Local Federal Member for Dickson and Liberal Party Leader Peter Dutton was on hand to do the honours on the project that has delivered more than 100 much-needed new homes for local retirees and a brand-new luxury clubhouse.

Mr Dutton was joined by Bruce and Denise Morcombe of Reside’s charity partner, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and Reside Ambassador and leading journalist Kay McGrath.

Longtime Samford resident Olive Gilbey was asked to cut the celebration cake, alongside Reside Communities representatives.

Mr Dutton said communities such as Samford Grove allowed more people to live their best lives in retirement while enjoying the great lifestyle on offer in the Samford Valley.

“Call me biased, but there’s nowhere in Australia better to live than my electorate of Dickson and Samford has always been one of the most attractive locations within this great region,” he said.

“I congratulate Reside Communities on the completion of Samford Grove and wish all the residents a happy, relaxing and well-earned retirement.”

 

A prestigious national award

Our village then went on to win a prestigious National Retirement Living Award for best development by a village operator with more than 500 retirement dwellings.

The awards celebrate excellence across all parts of Australia’s retirement living sector, acknowledging and recognising the outstanding contributions and innovations made by organisations, individuals, and communities in creating exceptional retirement living experiences.

It was a great honour to have been recognised. Together with our partner GreenFort Capital, we are very proud of the Samford Grove development and the opportunity it represents for local seniors to live their best lives in retirement.

Samford Grove exemplifies our people first approach to creating retirement living communities that offer a level of quality, service and connection for residents to thrive.

Happy holidays!

As we enter the holiday season, we extend our heartfelt thanks to all of you – our residents, staff, partners, and stakeholders – for your ongoing dedication and commitment. Your contributions make a real difference in shaping the vibrant, thriving communities we are so proud to call home.

We look forward to another year of growth, success, and continued connection, and we are excited for all the opportunities 2025 will bring.

May this festive season bring you joy, peace and time to reflect on the wonderful moments of 2024.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all of us at Reside Communities!

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Residents step out on 20th anniversary of Day for Daniel

Residents have put their best foot forward for the 20th anniversary of Day for Daniel – Australia’s largest child safety education and awareness day in memory of Daniel Morcombe.

As proud partners of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Reside Communities’ villages across Southeast Queensland always participate in fundraising activities to raise awareness and educate people on the important role grandparents play in child safety education.

Following the walk around Samford Grove village on October 25, residents gathered for a breakfast fundraiser for the Daniel Morecombe Foundation.

As well as wearing red, some residents chose to purchase Day for Daniel merchandise online prior to the event, including hats and T-shirts.

It was December 7, 2003, when 13-year-old Sunshine Coast schoolboy Daniel was abducted while waiting to catch a bus to buy Christmas presents.

His body was found eight years later, following the largest criminal investigation in the history of Queensland.

Along with fighting for the causes they believe in, Daniel’s parents Bruce and Denise have worked hard to ensure the Daniel Morcombe Foundation is at the forefront of child safety in Australia and providing up-to-date resources for children, parents, schools and communities.

In a new development, they are looking to expand their annual child safety lessons from primary schools into high schools next year.

Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown said it was important to recognise the role that grandparents have to play in child safety.

“It’s not just parents who are responsible for child safety,” he said.

“Grandparents can play an important role in teaching and protecting their grandchildren, and our residents have a unique opportunity to help instil important lessons that can ensure future generations are well-prepared.

“It was fantastic to see all our villages taking part in this very important fundraising event in memory of Daniel Morecombe.”

 

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Rock around the clock: residents hit the dancefloor for charity fundraiser!

Hawaii met Rock ‘n’ Roll when our residents hit the dancefloor for two high energy events. 

In June, our talented ukulele group donned their Hawaiian shirts and performed for the residents. This was followed by a scrumptious afternoon tea.

   

With plenty of singing and hula dance action to be had by all, we also raised funds for Dementia Research.  

Thanks to resident ukulele member John Pollock for his efforts organising such a great afternoon.  

Everyone was raring to go again when the Rock ‘n’ Roll night came around in July, and this time it was classic rock tunes that got everyone on their feet.  

Organised by residents Sue and Phil Shipton, the event was one to remember. As these pictures show, the line dancing was spectacular!  

 

 

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Samford Grove wins prestigious national award

Our village expansion has been recognised as Australia’s best retirement village development in prestigious 2024 industry awards announced this month.

Samford Grove won the National Retirement Living Awards category for best development by a village operator with more than 500 retirement dwellings in its portfolio.

The accolade follows the extensive 3-year redevelopment of our village in the picturesque Samford Valley that delivered more than 100 much-needed new homes for local retirees.

The redevelopment also included the construction of The Homestead – our luxury community centre with café, lounge, bar, cinema, indoor pool, gym, beauty salon, consultation room for visiting practitioners and alfresco barbecue areas and gardens.

The National Retirement Living Awards represent the industry’s most coveted and prestigious awards program, celebrating excellence across all parts of Australia’s retirement living sector.

The awards acknowledge and recognise the outstanding contributions and innovations made by organisations, individuals, and communities in creating exceptional retirement living experiences.

“We are delighted that Samford Grove has been recognised by our industry’s most prestigious awards program and we thank the National Retirement Living Awards judges for this honour,” said Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown.

“Together with our partner GreenFort Capital, we are very proud of the Samford Grove development and the opportunity it represents for local seniors to live their best lives in retirement,” he said.

“Our residents have worked hard their whole lives to build a nest egg and they a comfortable and secure retirement in a home that meets their needs now and into the future.

“Samford Grove exemplifies our people first approach to creating retirement living communities that offer a level of quality, service and connection for residents to thrive.”

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Community celebrates official completion in style

Samford Grove residents and special VIP guests have celebrated the village’s official completion in style with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony and lunch.

Local Federal Member for Dickson and Liberal Party Leader Peter Dutton was on hand to do the honours and say hello to residents, many of whom he has personally known for a long time.

Mr Dutton was joined by Bruce and Denise Morcombe of Reside’s charity partner, the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, and Reside Ambassador and leading journalist Kay McGrath.

Samford resident Olive Gilbey was asked to cut the celebration cake, alongside Reside Communities representatives.

Samford Grove is the only retirement community in the picturesque Samford Village and is now home to more than 160 residents after the extensive 3-year redevelopment.

Reside Communities CEO and Co-Founder Glen Brown said he was delighted to have Mr Dutton along to cut the ribbon to officially mark the project’s completion,

“Until now, the Samford Valley region has been very limited in terms of new housing options designed specifically for seniors, so the completion of our Samford Grove expansion is a great outcome for local community,” Mr Brown said.

“The overwhelmingly positive feedback we continue to receive from our residents is a testament to what Reside has delivered here and we are extremely proud of the new Samford Grove.”

Mr Dutton said communities such as Samford Grove allowed more people to live their best lives in retirement while enjoying the great lifestyle on offer in the Samford Valley.

“Call me biased, but there’s nowhere in Australia better to live than my electorate of Dickson and Samford has always been one of the most attractive locations within this great region,” he said.

“I congratulate Reside Communities on the completion of Samford Grove and wish all the residents a happy, relaxing and well-earned retirement.”

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Sunflowers in bloom at Samford Grove

Summer means sunflowers at Samford Grove, thanks to the amazing gardening skills of long-time resident Ernie Clark. 

Starting with seedlings planted before Christmas, these beautiful sunflowers added a burst of colour to the community, which soon had neighbours stopping by to visit and grab a photo.  

While Ernie is typically modest about his efforts, there’s no denying he’s got a special talent in the garden, having also previously nurtured the lawn at his home to bowling green-like perfection.  

 “I’m 6 foot 1 (185cm) and when I stretch up I can reach an 8-foot ceiling so these sunflowers were at least that tall,” he said.  

 “You can see them all the way down the street and from the office and people have told me they brightened up their day. I will probably do it all again this year – I like looking them as well!”  

Ernie has been a Samford Grove resident since 2010 so has witnessed the recent village expansion and development of a new luxury community centre.   

 “I’ve just adapted to the changes and am still meeting the new people coming in,” he said.   

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The Samford Grove community is now complete!

Three years in the making, the finishing touches are now complete to Samford Grove’s last ever homes within the community’s expansion.

An exciting milestone for the beloved community, Samford Grove’s latest residents celebrated Christmas in their fresh, new homes following the completion of Stages 3 and 4.

Since construction began in 2020, more than 100 new homes have been added to the village, including a mix of modern new apartments, single-level town homes and on-ground villas.

The expansion also included the construction of a new five-star, award-winning community centre, ‘The Homestead’, which features a range of lifestyle amenities including a library, café, hair and beauty salon and cinema. It’s great to see memories created in this vibrant community space.

If you or someone you know is considering retirement living, this is the final opportunity to secure a brand-new home at this boutique village community!

To register your interest or for more information, enquire now.

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The movers and groovers

Our sister village, Brookland Robertson isn’t just a flourishing community, the village also offers a range of exciting lifestyle initiatives including a dance class each Friday afternoon to shake off the week. Residents have been enjoying the new high-energy classes and learning a thing or two from Bollywood moves to Bee-Gee grooves, the Cha-Cha and everything in between!

While over at Samford Grove, the local ‘Samford Groovers’ played a sold-out show at The Homestead recently. The group have already built a loyal fan base in the village and recently played like rockstars, with not one but… two encores! The concert helped raise money for Dementia Research, raising $250!

Our communities aren’t just for retiring, they’re also a chance to enjoy the things you love, in a friendly environment, and with plenty of events and activities running across the calendar, you’re sure to find something fun to try!

Dance class at Brookland Robertson in the Clubhouse.

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The Faces of Reside: Meet Don and Daphne Greenhalgh

Samford couple and community pioneers, Don and Daphne Greenhalgh, are celebrating 66 years of marriage, a union built on a shared love for serving their local community.

Integral to the Samford community, the pair helped create a lasting legacy in Samford Valley with the establishment of the Greenhalgh Fire Station in 1986.

Now enjoying retirement at Reside Communities’ popular Samford Grove retirement village, Don and Daphne each dedicated more than 50 years of their lives to volunteering with the Samford Rural Fire Brigade.

“I was the First Officer of the Brigade and we needed to build a shed so we enlisted everyone in the district and got the place built,” said Don.

Built in 1986, Don said he was thrilled to see the community come together to help. About 100 volunteers from across Samford gave their time and skills to contribute to what is still a very useful facility.

The initial part of the station was completed in six months by volunteer labour and subsequently named “Greenhalgh Station” to recognise Don’s organisation of the project.

Later, a much larger kitchen, storeroom and a large training room were added as an emergency control centre for the District.

Daphne was also on the frontline to help the community, in charge of answering calls and setting up a management system for communications.

“I was in charge of the telephones, I was the Chief radio operator and secretary,” said Daphne.

“It was smaller back then. The firefighters came in when they saw smoke, but as the community got bigger, we had a to build something to support it.” said Don.

After loving their life in Samford for more than 54 years together, the pair are now enjoying their retirement at Samford Grove.

“We’ve been living at the Samford Grove village for 18 years and we really enjoy the people and the community here,” said Don.

“We love being in a tight-knit community, close to where we’ve lived for so long and enjoy the nice surrounds with the mountains close-by.”

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Samford Grove a finalist in national awards

Reside Communities’ luxury Samford Grove Retirement Village has been named a national finalist in both the Best Retirement Living Development and Best Redevelopment categories in the coveted National Retirement Living Awards for 2024. 

Recognised for its exceptional resident amenities and wide range of retirement living options, the community has undergone an exciting expansion and revitalisation over the past three years. 

In partnership with Greenfort Capital, Reside has added more than 110 new villas, townhomes and apartments to the community, together with a deluxe clubhouse and expansive green landscaping. 

The village’s location in the heart of the idyllic Samford community in Brisbane’s northwest, has offered a rare opportunity to downsize in a semi-rural location with a host of everyday services just a short walk away. 

Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown said the National Retirement Living Awards were the most prestigious awards program in the sector, celebrating excellence in new retirement living accommodation across Australia. 

“We are delighted to receive this incredible recognition and I acknowledge all the hard work, dedication and passion from the Greenfort Capital and Reside Communities teams,” he said. 

“Most of all, I would like to thank all our amazing residents and staff at Samford Grove, who have joined us on this journey and who together make this such a special community.” 

Mr Brown congratulated the other finalists in the 2024 National Retirement Living Awards, which were a testament to the outstanding quality of modern retirement living in Australia. 

Award winners will be announced at a gala industry event at the Gold Coast on the 27th of June 2024. 

Only limited opportunities now remain to secure a new home at Samford Grove with the final release now selling.  

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