David finds friendship, routine and fresh sea air at Azure Blue Redcliffe
David has been living at Azure Blue Redcliffe for just under a year, and as he puts it, there is “no chance of moving”.
In that short time, he has found a community where people look out for one another, where a simple hello is genuine, and where there is always something good happening.
A community that means it
“Some of the things I’ve seen here are quite touching, with people helping one another,” David said.
“The people that need help, and the other people coming to their help.
“When they say hello, they’re saying it not only for the smile. You can see it in their eyes that they mean it.”
A life built on solid foundations
Before moving to Azure Blue Redcliffe, David spent much of his life working as a builder.
“I got serious when I got married and we came to Queensland,” he said.
“I’ve always loved brickwork, masonry buildings, something solid.
“We restored all the houses around Petrie Terrace, and that kicked it all off.
“Then we moved over to this side of town and ended up building a house here.”
Now, David enjoys a lifestyle built around routine, friendship and the convenience of having everything close by.
Starting each day in the pool
One of his favourite parts of village life is the pool.
“I love the pool. I’ve missed one day in nearly a year,” he said.
“Every morning at 7am, I’m there. It’s so handy. It’s so easy. It’s here and it’s heated.
“And the people that go in the pool in the afternoon, they all want to be there.
“You go and meet someone there and have a coffee and have a talk.”
A happy place to call home
For David, the warmth of the village extends to the people who work there too.
“Even the management here, you go and ask them something at the desk, and the first thing you get from them is a nice smile,” he said.
“It’s just a happy place.”
Always company, always people there
That sense of connection continues beyond the village, with residents regularly heading out together on the community bus.
“Once a week the bus takes us all shopping, a big bus load of people,” David said.
“We all meet up and have our doughnuts and coffee when we get there, and then we spread off and get all of what we’ve got to do.
“There’s always company. Always people there.”
Fresh air, family and friendship
Living by the coast has also given David the chance to enjoy one of the things he loves most — walking along the beach with his daughters.
“I love walking on the beach with my daughters,” he said.
“It’s nice to be able to walk along here with beautiful fresh air.
“It’s just lovely and I’m here for good.
“I’ve got a lovely unit, I’ve made a lot of lovely friends, and there’s always something good happening.”