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.  

Have you visited the Samford Grove hair salon yet? Operating for over 12 years, the salon has always been a hit with our residents.

We caught up with senior hairstylist, Liza Kirk, for a chat about what’s been popular and the key trends for cutting-edge, over 60’s looks.

For over 36 years Liza Kirk has been helping women look and feel their best.  Since 2011, the hairstylist has been getting to know the residents at Samford Grove and adding her creative flair to hair.

“I love coming to work! I know not many people can say that, especially when Monday rolls around, but I do love what I do,” Liza said.

Born and raised in Samford, Liza is an expert in the area, and able to share her knowledge of local coffee spots and shops for residents.

“The residents are lovely, I like meeting new people and catching up with those I’ve known for a while and providing that personalised service, I like being creative and it’s not too far from home for me.”

While residents pop in for a cut, colour or a refresh, the Samford local says the experience is more than just cutting hair, she learns a lot from her clients too.

“Our residents have really interesting backgrounds, from where they’ve worked or where they’ve lived, they have interesting lives and it’s great hearing that.”

Hairdresser Liza holding a phone and taking a selfie in the salon.

After owning her own salons and even working on weddings, Liza has a wealth of knowledge and has truly made her mark at Samford Grove.

“I worked from home when my kids were younger but over the past 12 years, I’ve been able to really grow with the salon,” she said.

As for the cutting-edge trends? Liza says there’s a wide variety of looks emerging from the salon.

“There’s a few foils and modern hairstyles for the early 60’s and a few perms, which takes me back to my apprenticeship days!

“There’s a real variety of looks, we also offer brow waxing and tints in the salon too,” she said.

While no two days are the same in the salon, Liza says she has a love of both hairdressing and the Samford Grove village.

“I love hairdressing, I like the atmosphere and the staff: Bronwyn, Cathie, Des and Jacqui are all great to have, it’s a real feel-good place.”

The Samford Grove hair and beauty salon is just one of the many exciting amenities for residents to enjoy, open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

To book an appointment give the salon a call or pop in and see Liza!

Eight premium villas have just been launched at Samford Grove – the final new homes to be built within the popular northern Brisbane village – with predictions they’ll be snapped up quickly!

These final homes make up Stage Four of Samford Grove’s expansion, with only a handful of homes still left for sale in Stage Three.

The latest release was celebrated in the village with more than 130 retirees invited to explore community at a special information panel session hosted by Reside Communities Ambassador, Kay McGrath.

Following the panel discussion, guests enjoyed a delicious morning tea before taking a tour around the village and picturing their future life in the display homes.

Samford Grove’s final stage promotional panel including journalist Kay McGrath, Reside Communities CEO Glen Brown, Reside Communities Chief Operating Officer Craig Syphers, Five Good Friends CEO, Simon Lockyer and future Samford Grove resident.

If you’re considering downsizing to Samford Grove in the stunning surrounds of Samford Village, don’t delay! For more information or to see a virtual tour visit: samfordgrove.com.au/for-sale/

Whether you’re a keen green thumb or prefer the low-maintenance lifestyle, you can still enjoy a beautiful garden at Samford Grove.

Village Manager, Bronwyn O’Brien, said the community’s gardening and maintenance team look after the communal areas so residents can enjoy the beauty without the maintenance.

“Residents have their lawns mowed fortnightly, the front gardens are tidied, and the team also assist in replanting small plants,” she said.

“They also maintain all the common areas for the residents to enjoy on their daily walks or outside events and the team give their time freely with some gardening tips.”

Bronwyn said the team are also mindful of the environment and garden sustainably.

“The team are sustainably conscious and will utilise propagated plants from around the village to enhance and update other areas.”

For those looking for a passion project or to get their creativity flowing, residents like Margaret Crombie grow their own fruit and vegetables and share the produce with fellow residents.

Margaret has lived at Samford Grove for three years and found she can still follow her passions and get creative in the garden.

“At the moment the citrus seems to be doing well: grapefruit, lime, lemons mandarin and passionfruit are all growing well,” she said.

“I also have a raised veggie garden bed and a few green leaves for salads. I’ve got carrots, zucchinis, herbs and parsley and curry leaves around the place too.”

Before making the move to the village, Margaret lived off acreage and always had a love for gardening.

“It gets me outside, rather than being inside moving dust around,” she jokes.

“Gardening is a healthy thing to do, even if the fruit is cheap at the supermarket, it always tastes better if you’ve grown it yourself.”

For those who don’t have much luck gardening, Margaret says it’s all about trial and error.

“Every place is different so it’s a lot of trial and error especially living somewhere new, like a new build you have to be mindful that you need decent soil. I buy mine from the local hardware store and it’s enough for plants to thrive on. Then I build it up with more compost and give the plants a decent drink,” she said.

“Keep on trying and try seasonal growing. While something might grow well in Tasmania or somewhere near the beach, it won’t necessarily grow well somewhere else like Samford, for example.

“But you learn, here the tomatoes are grown in winter, not summer because we have fruit flies in Queensland, so it’s a lot of trial and error, but you’ll get there.”

For more information on Samford Grove or to discover the lifestyle on offer for yourself, contact our team on (07) 3289 3372.

Above: Crafter and resident, Cheryl Johnson showing some of the products that the group creates.

On Saturday mornings, a group of keen creatives at Samford Grove come together for ‘Craft and Coffee.’

For some residents, it’s a chance to connect with neighbours and for others, it’s a chance to work on a project or just have a bit of fun.

Samford Grove resident Elaine Holmes came up with the idea just over a year ago and it’s quickly become an anticipated social event in the community.

“I’m a qualified art teacher and about 18 months ago, I got some ladies together to redesign old jewellery and that’s how it all started,” Elaine said.

“It’s a chance for ladies to come together and paint or craft, knit, sew, and we do that every Saturday morning.”

Elaine also lends her skills on the first Saturday of every month for a creative class in the village workshop.

“It’s very informal and it’s just a fun art lesson,” she said.

“I can show them how to paint something, but we usually just have fun with a bit of paint and others do needlework or make cards or little gifts.” 

But it’s not all ladies. Elaine said some of the men have become involved too.

“It’s mostly the ladies but a few of the men come along and they’ve created woodwork pieces too.”

The projects are then sold in an honesty box in the library for residents to purchase. Elaine says this is important for those who simply can’t get to the shops.

“It’s designed for those who can’t drive but might have a grandson coming around next week or someone’s birthday is coming up, so they have a way to grab a card or a small gift,” she said.

Although it’s just a bit of fun, Elaine’s ‘craft-urdays are also a social event for residents to connect with one another and socialise.

“It’s about getting to know each other, there’s no charges for the workshop, it’s just a chance to come along and we enjoy the laughs.”

“Residents can choose to have their work in the shop, or they can just do it for fun, it’s not formal in any way, we’re all volunteers.”

Elaine says the weekly sessions are most important for those who might not have family close-by.

“Some residents might not have families here and this helps them out.”

“It’s also good for new people to come and meet other ladies with similar ideas.”

Craft and Coffee is held in the dining area at the Homestead every Saturday at Samford Grove.

Residents can also learn something new in a workshop un by Elaine on the first Saturday of every month.

If you’d like to support the creative club, gifts are available to purchase in the library for under $15.  

 

To tour Samford Grove’s facilities and discover the lifestyle on offer for yourself, contact our team on (07) 3289 3372. 

 

The Samford Grove couple marked the occasion with an anniversary cruise around the tropics, from Brisbane to Hawaii. A stunning achievement, the couple were also lucky enough to celebrate the milestone twice!

With an anniversary dinner to mark their wedding day on April 15, upon crossing the international date line just after Tonga, the couple got to re-live the day with a second celebration, before cruising into Tahiti.

“We had dinner on the Saturday night and once the boat crossed the International Date Line, we had a second dinner for the Saturday again,” Laurie said.

In honour of their anniversary, Laurie and Linda received cards from King Charles III and wife Camila, the Governor General, David Hurley and wife Linda, the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeanette Young, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and local PM for Samford, Peter Dutton.

Laurie and Linda met while both serving in the army in Melbourne, before marrying in 1963.

“I served in Vietnam then later stationed in Enoggera. We lived in The Gap for a number of years until eventually Samford,” said Laurie.

Linda raised their two children before working as a Car Park Supervisor while Laurie was a SS Manager for the Australian Lighthouse Services.

The couple have two children together and four grandchildren, with their son living in Sydney and their daughter in Brisbane.

The couple moved to Samford Grove in 2021 and both enjoy living in the village.

“It’s very good, it’s a nice place to live, we really enjoy our time here and the people,” Laurie said.

As for the secret to a long-lasting marriage? Laurie said it’s all about communication.

“We like anyone have disagreements, but it’s about making sure the disagreements don’t last.”

Laurie with dedicated cards he received for his anniversary.

Since day one Samford Grove Sales Manager, Desley has enjoyed watching the vision for the community become a reality and has helped countless downsizers embark on their retirement journey.

“As the Sales Manager here, I am very blessed to work with a great team of like-minded individuals,” Desley said.

“Samford Grove is very unique compared with other retirement villages. We are a small boutique village, and once complete at the end of the year, will only have 131 homes in total.”

Word spreads quickly about Samford Grove…

“Many of our residents are known to each other prior to moving in and we receive lots of referrals, which is the best compliment Samford Grove and Reside Communities can receive – it means we are doing something right.”

Of course, how could we not talk about Samford’s beautiful surrounding valley-views. Desley says it’s not just about the views, but also the community at large.

“It is a wonderful feel every morning driving into the valley – how could you not enjoy the beauty on offer. If I go down to the village shops during the day, I have to allow time for all the little chats that I have with the locals. It’s been great to be involved with the Chamber of Commerce and Bowls clubs nearby. They really appreciate what we do and that our village has value added to their community.”

Samford Grove Sales Manager, Desley Arnold smiling. Desley wears bright orange blazer with a leopard print scarf.

It was footy fever at Samford Grove, as residents celebrated the State of Origin with a special happy hour at the bar.

Blues and maroons were proudly out in full force as residents sported scarves and jerseys to support their beloved teams. Excited residents cheered for their teams and rivals egged each other on, all in the spirit of the game.

While at Brookland, it was all about pomp and pageantry as residents came together to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and wife Camilla.

While most afternoons in the bar at Brookland are a chance to kick back, relax and catch up with friends, this Happy hour was a historical moment as residents rang in a new era.

Streamers and the iconic Union Jack flag decorated the café and bar area, while many enjoyed traditional songs and adorned crowns, tiaras and even top hats to enjoy the afternoon’s celebrations.

A generous green-thumb, Shirley treats her fellow residents and neighbours at Samford Grove with her home-grown oranges.

“I have a big lemon and orange tree in the yard, normally I get a big basket, collect the fruit, and carry the basket to the function room for the other residents. People pick them up at Happy Hour or make marmalade with them, it’s nice.”

Alongside her carer, Karli, Shirley enjoys getting out in the yard at Samford Grove and giving back to her fellow residents.

“When I walked in here, I knew it was a safe place. It’s a beautiful community. There are good people, beautiful surroundings. Les loves it too.”

At the young age of 89, Shirley has also recently marked a milestone, celebrating her 42nd wedding anniversary with husband, Les.

Married in 1981 the two met as primary school teachers after Les moved from England to Australia in 1975. Les was a Drama Director and received many awards for his acting over the years.

When she’s not giving back to others, Shirley enjoys painting and watching films with Les. Les is also an author and continues his love of writing.

Samford Grove residents were transported to the streets of 19th-Century Paris following a visit to an interactive art exhibit at Brisbane’s Northshore.

The Monet in Paris event was an immersive art experience, following the life and art of Claude Monet and fellow Impressionist artists like Degas, Pissarro, Cezanne, Renoir and more.

The lucky residents were treated to sensory delights and artistic masterpieces like Monet’s waterlilies, projected on larger-than-life screens, in a 360-degree immersive experience.

Situated in a purpose-built Grand Palais, residents snapped a few photos to mark the occasion, before saying au revoir and heading back home.

Samford Grove residents stepping off the bus, about to visit Monet in Paris.

Senior woman with walker standing next to Le Chat Noir artwork on a digital screen.

Samford Grove residents with digital screen of Monet's waterlily artwork behind them.