All in the family at Moreton Shores
Pam Elder never envisioned that when it came time for her to retire, she would end up living in the same retirement village as her parents.
But despite it seeming strange at first, Pam has called Bolton Clarke’s Moreton Shores retirement village in Thornlands her home for the past nine years, living alongside parents Don and Joan Campbell, who made the move three years earlier.
“It’s lovely, living here with family,” Pam says. “It’s the best thing I did. Even though it wasn’t planned it’s worked out wonderfully.”
“Moreton Shores is in my community in the area that I’ve always loved – Redlands has been my home for 43 years.”
Pam moved to the area from Bulimba, where her parents had owned a news agency on Oxford Street. She raised her family in Redlands, having two daughters and a son. She now has six grandchildren, one great-grandson, and 12 grand fur-babies.
“We lived on acreage, and when my marriage broke up I bought a lovely villa down at Victoria Point – I was still working full time in the city at that point. Over time it became difficult and I wanted a more peaceful life.
“I looked at high rises and all sorts of things – but when the opportunity came up, I asked Mum and Dad if they’d mind if I had a look in here.
“I think they were quite surprised at first!”
Alongside the peacefulness, Pam says being close to her parents has been the best move she ever made, and it’s been a special blessing during the health crisis.
“I was able to look after them because I was nearby and over time, they became more dependent on me.”
Pam was able to move into the same unit as her parents for five months, and in January of this year they made the move to be in the aged care community.
“For Mum and Dad, the fact that the aged care community is right next door was a big drawcard.
“I’m two minutes from going to see them or waving through the window. It’s easy to bring them outside into the sunshine and fresh air.
“Their room looks out over the bush and there is always something for them to look at.”
Pam says Moreton Shores provides easy access to the local area and a great sense of community – she’s not the only one with family also living in the village.
“There’s a few of us now, with family close by. And I’ve got a few old neighbours and friends who live here too – one of them taught all my children at school.
“It’s good to be close to everything, like shops and cinemas – we’ve even got a cinema on site! A lot of the people here go to the gym and we love going down to the on-site café.”
Having lived in the area so long, Pam recalls when the land surrounding the village was all farmland.
“This whole area was an old farm originally and there’s mango trees and other beautiful old trees all around. It’s fascinating to see the changes in the area.”
“A lot of the parkland is still here – and the lake is so beautiful. I’m very happy here – there’s nothing I can complain about.”
The peacefulness allows Pam to indulge in her favourite pastime – reading.
“It’s my greatest love – whenever I’ve got a book, I’ve got a friend.”
Image: Pam Elder (left) lives close to parents Don and Joan Campbell at Moreton Shores, pictured with Pam's sister Jill Duffield (right).
