Val and Geoffrey Embrace a Fresh Start in Burpengary East
Val and Geoffrey were all smiles as they prepared for their well-earned glamping night away near Noosa to celebrate their birthdays.
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After settling into their new two-bedroom affordable home in the Avaline estate in Burpengary East earlier this year, the couple - both in their 60s - are embracing a slower, more relaxed pace of life.
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Having moved back from Ipswich in March 2025, they’re now happily settled and have no plans to pack up again anytime soon.
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Their new home is already filled with warmth - with family photos lining the walls. With loved ones nearby and a friendly community around them, Val and Geoffrey are focused on enjoying life and making lasting memories.
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Returning to Burpengary felt like coming home. They discovered the opportunity online to move back to the suburb and now they’re enjoying a relaxed lifestyle, getting to know their neighbours - like Sandra, who they’ve been happy to lend a hand to - and soaking up the peaceful surroundings.
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Val and Geoffrey are renting a two-bedroom affordable house under the Southeast Queensland project, Everyone’s Place Affordable Housing.
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With more than 100 affordable homes completed and tenanted, the project continues to work with the Queensland Government to build more homes in high-demand areas including Burpengary East, Jimboomba, Logan Reserve, and Joyner.
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By early 2027, the Everyone’s Place consortium partners - Tetris, Metricon, KDL Property Group and National Affordable Housing – will continue to work with the Queensland Government to deliver 483 affordable homes in total by early 2027.
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Under this project, rents are capped at 75 per cent of market rates to ease financial pressure on eligible families, couples, and multigenerational households in need.
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Originally from the United Kingdom, Val first came to Australia in 1989, married with two of her three children, ready to start a new life in Queensland.
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She stayed nearly 10 years and had Adam, her third child in Ipswich – before divorcing and returning to the UK with her children.
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Five years later, after marrying Manchester-born Geoffrey, the family relocated back to Queensland.
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“The kids really wanted to come back—they remembered it. The oldest one was 12 when she left… they had good memories from school at Collingwood Park,” Val said.
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Geoffrey said it only took one two-week trip to Australia to convince him it was the right move.
“I just loved Queensland. I've been to New South Wales, but I just preferred Queensland’s weather when I was younger… it was a no-brainer for me,” he said.
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After securing work and saving a deposit, Val and Geoffrey built their dream five-bedroom home on acreage in Cedar Vale, about 60km south of Brisbane.
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Life threw them a few curveballs, including health challenges, but they faced each one with resilience. Even when they had to sell their home and move into rentals, they stayed focused on what mattered most - each other and their family.
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Geoffrey’s recovery from a life-threatening brain aneurism was nothing short of extraordinary. With Val by his side as his full-time carer, they navigated through it together, supported by their children Colette, Dean, and Adam.
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Today, Val and Geoffrey are getting to know their new neighbourhood, including the cockatoos in the trees across the road.
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“It’s so quiet and peaceful here,” Val said.
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“The soundproofing in this house is amazing, and it’s beautifully finished. We love the simplicity - it’s just white, clean, and easy to maintain.”
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Best of all, they’re back in a familiar area they enjoy, with everything they need just 20 minutes away - and they’re making the most of every moment.
