By Jamie Salter
Dennis and Di Wiseman are a Queensland couple who are bucking the trend by moving from the sunshine state for retirement into Stockland’s Halcyon Berwick.
For the past eight years, the Melbourne-based couple had been living on Queensland’s Gold Coast, soaking up the sunshine.
But the couple and their Shih Tzu Benji decided to make the move back down south to be closer to family.
“All our family live in Victoria and I used to go back to Melbourne three or four times a year to see the grandchildren, but with Covid-19 it’s just been so difficult and we have missed birthdays and other milestones,” Di said.
“We will miss the Queensland weather but we’re looking forward to being closer to family.”
When the couple heard about Stockland’s Halcyon Berwick, which offers a lifestyle for over-50s, they jumped at the chance to move back home.
“We love the area – when we were living in Melbourne we lived in Boronia and used to go to Clover Cottage for special dinners and Berwick cafes on the weekend,” Di said.
The thought of moving into a newly developed community with an established network of local amenities was an exciting prospect for the couple.
Di said she was looking forward to moving to Victoria at the end of March.
“In the Gold Coast we live in a lifestyle resort and it really is a special place for seniors, you just feel safe and able to walk around and chat to people,” she said.
“We’ve been away eight years – we’re looking forward to being back in Melbourne and being able to watch the footy at the MCG or visit nice restaurants.”
