the right place
If you’ve ever watched the hugely popular TV series, Call The Midwife, that was Gwenda’s life for many years, riding a bicycle through impoverished neighbourhoods still recovering from the ravages of World War II, to deliver babies at home.
It was a chance for the young nurses to see the world outside Australia, two decades before it became a rite of passage in the ‘70s and ‘80s. They worked their way through England, Scotland and Denmark and when Gwenda finally returned home to Adelaide, she spent the rest of her working life devoted to improving mother and infant health and welfare.
David meanwhile had moved to Brisbane where he worked in real estate. Lynette, a sales manager was being transferred to Brisbane and David not only found her an apartment but also the love of his life.
The couple enjoyed many happy and carefree years in Brisbane until they had to make five trips to Adelaide in quick succession to deal with their relatives’ health related issues. Familial duty was calling so David and Lynette sold the real estate business and moved back home where they settled on an 80 acre cattle farm in the Adelaide Hills.
With big plans for her second century, Gwenda is beginning an entirely new chapter of her life at Charlton House, the newly completed third building at Ascot Green, delivered by Mirvac in partnership with the Brisbane Racing Club.
Fiercely independent, Gwenda has uprooted herself from Adelaide for a new life in a cosy apartment alongside Eagle Farm Racecourse. She won’t be entirely alone though. In one of the three bedroom Pavilion apartments at Charlton House will be her nephew David McFarlane and his wife Lynette.
The family ties that bind these two generations of McFarlanes, from an old Eyre Peninsula family, are deep and strong. David is the last in his familial line; Gwenda who never married or had children, the only remaining sibling of her generation.
Moving 2,000km from Adelaide to Brisbane might seem a rash move so late in life but Gwenda is no stranger to leaping fearlessly into the unknown. In the ‘50s, Gwenda and her sister and a girlfriend packed their bags and headed for England where they put their midwifery skills to work.
‘Now we have Gwenda close by everything has worked out perfectly. She has always been devoted to us. She is strong, she is loyal and a lot of fun.’
LYNETTE MCFARLANE
Charlton House resident
For the past 19 years they have lived contentedly in South Australia, looking after family until it became clear that it was time to return to what Lynette calls their “heart home”, a tight-knit group of friends in Brisbane who have remained solid despite the distance.
“We were looking after two aunts when we learned that our planned return to Brisbane would have to be sooner not later,” explains Lynette. “Sadly, one passed in March after moving to care at Nudgee Beach.”
After a brief period without the company and support of Lynette and David, Gwenda changed her mind and bought a one bedroom apartment at Charlton House.
It’s the perfect resolution for all three McFarlanes. Lynette and David have had a year to adapt to their new home and lifestyle, renting an apartment in Ascot House, the first building completed in the development, while waiting for Charlton House to be constructed.
“The community in Ascot House is wonderful and we are looking to replicate that in Charlton House,” says Lynette. “They meet for drinks each Friday and have a horse race tipping competition. We’re members of the Tattersalls Club and Brisbane Racing Club and thoroughly enjoy the races.”
Not only do they already have a network of friends in Ascot House, they also had a chance to make new connections amongst their Charlton House neighbours well before taking the keys.
“The thing about Mirvac is they go out of their way to bring people together,” says Lynette. “They introduced us to another couple from Adelaide and we’ve had a number of meals together and met up with these people who will be our neighbours.
“Now we have Gwenda close by everything has worked out perfectly. She has always been devoted to us. She is strong, she is loyal and a lot of fun.” She also has her priorities sorted. “As soon as her furniture arrived we plugged in the fridge so the ice cubes would be ready for her two whiskies a night.”
The whisky tonic may well be Gwenda’s secret to a long and happy life but more likely it’s the loving and loyal company she keeps
*The article is intended as a guide only to provide general information. Mirvac is not a provider of financial or investment advice and this information should not be relied on as such. Before acting on any information in this publication, purchasers should fully consider the appropriateness of the information, having regard to their objectives, and financial and tax situation and needs, and seek their own advice from appropriately qualified advisers. Mirvac has made all reasonable efforts and inquiries it believes necessary in preparing the publication but is not responsible for confirming the completeness or accuracy of such data and information. Purchasers must rely on their own continuing enquiries about purchasing decisions. Mirvac expressly excludes any and all liability relating to, or resulting from, the use of or reliance on, any information contained in this brochure by any person.
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