At Kingsford Terrace Corinda retirement community, we empower residents to shape, take ownership of and make decisions about the community in which they live.

Our residents can take part in as much or as little as they desire in the busy village activity calendar so you will always have something to do! You can join a bus trip to see a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, choose from a range of fitness classes including yoga, pilates, dance or aqua aerobics, join a craft or arts group, play mahjong, table tennis, billiards or indoor bowls, or take an elevator ride down to the community areas for a morning tea or catch up with your neighbours for Friday drinks.

Whether it’s a chat in the hallway or a cup of coffee in the onsite café, you’ll have friends nearby who ‘get’ you and will be around when you need them.

Nanette Lilley enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a real estate agent in Brisbane’s inner western suburbs. Often described as the first lady of Brisbane real estate, Nanette was an industry trailblazer, the first woman to open an agency under her own name. She managed Nanette Lilley Property Centre in Graceville for 36 years until her retirement in 2018.

After such a successful career in the real estate industry, Nanette chose Kingsford Terrace Corinda for her retirement home. Nanette says she is “now relaxing at Kingsford Terrace Corinda which my grandson Hugh described as like living in a first-class hotel’’.

“I absolute love Kingsford Terrace and the people. I have such a full life that I wonder how I ever went to work. We have every facility here with lots of planned activity and I still have many outside interests.

“I am in a good place and it’s absolutely to my liking. I don’t have any worries.’’

Wayne and Dianne say moving to Kingsford Terrace was the best decision they could have made for their future. “We never imagined we would be living in a retirement village… but we love it! Our family thought our decision to move here was great forward thinking,’’ Wayne says.

“It’s ‘no worry’ living… all maintenance is looked after and when we go away, we just lock up and leave, knowing our unit is secure. There’s also plenty of activities available and always something happening in the function room, library, billiards room, gym, indoor pool, craft room or the wine room. Most important is the friendship and compassion we share here. It’s nice to chat to such as a varied group of people. You could never be lonely.

“Whilst Dianne attends the exercise classes, I prefer a walk to the shops but gardening is Dianne’s great love. We both spend quite a bit of time in the garden – it’s our choice to do so and it’s good exercise. It gives us a lot of pleasure when the other residents, their families and even the neighbours comment and say how nice the gardens look.

“Kingsford Terrace’s location is ideal for us with a bus stop outside that takes us to Indooroopilly Shopping Centre and there’s connecting buses to the city. The train station is within walking distance as well as supermarkets and cafes.’’

Iola has always loved Cavalier King Charles spaniels and shares her apartment with Dolly, the seventh spaniel she has owned. When looking for a retirement living option in 2018, Iola says it was essential that Dolly was warmly welcomed too.

“They are such a beautiful dog to look at and they just seem to suit my own nature so well, being placid, very adaptable and also willing to walk,’’ Iola says. “Dolly is just the most wonderful company and she has settled into village living very well. She loves all the other residents and is terribly friendly.

“I really enjoy living at Kingsford Terrace because, being quite a private person, there is the ability to join in activities as you wish with no pressure. I like having people around to say hello to, I enjoy playing Scrabble with a group and taking part in the Zumba classes, which my sister who lives locally also attends.’’

Previously a scientist in the agricultural industry, Robert keeps active with his love for gardening. In fact, if you were to visit Robert’s balcony today, you would see a flourish of bright flowers and fresh herbs.

“I love to garden but I am grateful not to have to worry about home maintenance anymore. You won’t find me mowing the lawn, trimming trees or painting; it’s really nice to have that behind us.”

“We still have a car but sometimes I like to use public transport because Kingsford Terrace is so close to the bus and the train. There’s a bus right outside, so it’s very convenient. We always use the train if we are going into the city or to places like the hospital. It’s made it really easy for us to have one car between the two of us.”

“It’s been a really positive experience living in an apartment in a retirement village. My advice is, don’t leave it too late to really consider making the move.”

A fellow of the Historical Society, Val was one of the first oncology nurses in the country. When describing herself Val said, “I’m a fairly fit 80-year-old and I’ve had a very interesting life.” And she couldn’t be more right!

Have you always lived in the area?

“I’ve lived all over, Townsville, Melbourne and England. I was actually born in Eumundi… before it was trendy! Growing up I was a boarder at St Margaret’s in Brisbane. During the holidays, I would take some of the boarders to our holiday home in Tewantin, about 6 of them and we would have a great time.”

What are your hobbies?

“I’m still one of the editors of the Queensland History Journey and Historical Society. I do a lot of regular editing for that publication which I enjoy. I have published a number of books and just recently I finished writing the history of the Graceville Bowls Club as they are having their centenary in 2019.”

What do you like the most about life at Kingsford Terrace?

“The sense of community – everyone is so nice. We are lucky in that regard. When my husband passed, everyone here was so supportive and I always know that if I ever need anything I could ask any one of them for help.”

“Also, the strangest thing happened – a friend of mine lives down the end of the corridor, at Kingsford Terrace, we’ve been friends for about 64 years. We trained together as nurses. We didn’t necessarily organise to come here together but it’s happened that way which is lovely.”