Old and new friends found in Moreton Bay community

Malcolm and Deidre Johnson are preparing to pack up a quarter of a century of memories to move to Halcyon Promenade.

As the couple prepared to downsize, they initially considered moving into a unit close to their Aspley home, but nothing they saw suited their needs. Then they came across Halcyon Promenade, located just a little further up the highway at Burpengary East.

“We had been thinking about moving for years, but we kept procrastinating,” says Deidre.

“Malcolm had a fall on the stairs last year and broke his arm. Our children stepped in and encouraged us to find something single-level.”

Halcyon Promenade offers a great alternative to a unit with low-set homes and a low-maintenance lifestyle.

With their move-in date scheduled for 2024, Malcolm and Deidre are enjoying getting to know their future neighbours at onsite gatherings organised by the Stockland team. From morning teas to happy hours, future home owners get together for meet-and-greets to begin building connections before they officially move in. 

For Malcolm and Deidre, some of their new neighbours won’t be complete strangers.

“I ran into a guy I worked with in the ambulance service for years. He’s moving in a block over from us. A few other people that I knew from the fire brigade are also moving in. And I ran into another guy I worked with years ago,” says Malcolm.

Malcolm retired from his career as a paramedic in 2012. Deidre retired officially in 2021 but was asked to come back to her job as a payroll officer part-time. She continues to work from home two days a week.

“It keeps my mind active,” she says. “I’m 70 now, but I don’t feel it. I like to keep busy.”

As avid travellers who have journeyed from Africa to Asia, Iceland to Alaska, the United Kingdom to the United States and beyond, Malcolm and Deidre are planning more adventures.

“Being able to lock up and leave knowing everything is secure makes it nice and easy,” says Deidre.

“I’m looking forward to making new connections when we move. Hopefully, I will find some ladies to spend time with who don’t want to watch sports all the time,” she laughs.

Malcolm, meanwhile, loves watching sports and has been involved with the Wilston Grange AFL Club most of his life.

“I wouldn’t mind joining the neighbours to watch the State of Origin,” he says, “but I’ll turn my hand to anything. I’m looking forward to getting into the workshed and having a go at something different.”