Live proud | 100 Years Proud

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CENTENARY EDITION 2024

Upfront 22

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The Great Separation

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Building Belonging

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Adopting Kindness

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Their Own Little Piece of Paradise

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Losing Everything and Finding Australia

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Building a Stronger, Smarter, Happier Society

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Nurturing Healthy Digital Behaviours

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The Courage to Connect

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The Best Way to End Loneliness... Is Together

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Developing Australia The Iconic Places That Shape Our Cities

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The Great Australian Home Evolution

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The Way We Were

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Our History

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Great Australian Dreams Unearthing The Quarry

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Building Communities in Community Buildings 66

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History of the Bradmill Denim Factory

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Affording the Great Australian Dream

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The Revolution in Apartment Living

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The Facts of Lifestyle

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The Spirit of Generosity

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London. The Culture Capital

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Live Proud

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The Young Achievers

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2023 Community Milestones

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Why Frasers Property Australia

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YEARS OF PROUD AND CONNECTED COMMUNITIES This year marks a major historical milestone for Frasers Property – a centenary of developing Australia that extends all the way back to the days of property pioneer T.M Burke in 1924.

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ne of the first national property development companies, T.M Burke’s expansive holdings were acquired by Hooker Corporation in the middle part of the twentieth century. That business would go on to be bought by Australand in the early 1990s, eventually to be merged with global property brand Frasers Property to become Frasers Property Australia in 2015.

It’s a proud history we’re excited to celebrate. Inside the pages of this special centenary edition of the Live proud magazine, we look back at that history of development, as well as the way Australian life has evolved to cater for new cultures, technologies, challenges, and opportunities.

In those 100 years, huge swathes of Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth—not to mention regional centres and towns all over the country—have been developed by these well-known names. Places like Sunshine Beach, Peregian, and the Centenary suburbs of Brisbane; Freshwater Place and Botanica Park in Melbourne; King Street Wharf and Killarney Heights in Sydney; as well as Queens Riverside and The Maltings in Perth.

We know that to continue in our role as a leading developer of proud Australian neighbourhoods, we must address some of the big issues that face our nation.

But as enjoyable and nostalgic it is to recall the past, it’s the 100 years to come that really has our attention.

How can we create neighbourhoods that encourage a greater sense of belonging and social connection?

How can we create more diversity of housing choice and affordability?

What must we do to ensure we leave a lighter footprint on the earth?

The answers aren’t always easy, and we know we can’t do it on our own. That’s why we’ve partnered with Ending Loneliness Together and sponsored the documentary, The Great Separation. It’s why we’re a preferred partner with state governments to redevelop aging and disused neighbourhoods into thriving and vibrant new multi-tenure communities.

And it’s why we’re committed to building stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods that create a sense of belonging.

These stories and more are unpacked in this special edition of Live proud. I hope you enjoy reading it—it was 100 years in the making.

Anthony Boyd CEO, Frasers Property Australia

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Frasers Property Australia’s mission is to build more social connection and a greater sense of belonging through the neighbourhoods it creates. It’s a mission that’s led them on a process of discovery and cultural research, culminating in a groundbreaking new film about the scourge of loneliness and the healing balm of community.

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rasers Property Australia CEO Anthony Boyd believes in purpose-driven business. It’s a belief that has seen the company reorganise itself around a core mission: to encourage a greater sense of community and belonging through the places it creates. And according to Anthony the need for more togetherness has never been more pressing.

“It can be tempting to say that the enforced social isolation brought on by the pandemic is the reason for a spike in mental health issues and loneliness across the country,” says Anthony. “But that masks the more serious reality that this has been going on for a long time.

“Whether you put it down to the stressors of modern life, social media, a decline in community participation and churchgoing, we know that people are reporting greater levels of disconnection, which is leading to more loneliness and unhappiness. We know we can’t change that on our own, but we can start a conversation around it and invite others in to participate.”

That conversation around the value of human connection and community is the subject of a groundbreaking documentary film, called The Great Separation, made possible through funding by Frasers Property and developed by award-winning filmmaker Shannon Swan.

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about these big themes like loneliness, disconnection, real community versus online community, their hopes and fears and frustrations poured out. And we discovered from them all the things we’re now exploring, which is there’s still a lot of loneliness. But when they came together with this shared ambition for a great place to live and belong, that powered them to connect.

Cinematographer Cameron Zayec with Joey Fry

Released in late 2023 and broadcast on the freeto-air SBS network, the documentary charts the journey of protagonist, Joey Fry, as he chats with a range of experts in the fields of anthropology, social psychology, loneliness, neuroscience, and body language. The film seeks to explore the modern state of belonging in Australia today as well as what can be done to deepen our sense of connection.

“What we uncovered in our research is that there is a threat for Australia if we continue to drift apart from one another. Societies are only as strong as our ability to live harmoniously together. This is the powerful insight that’s at the heart of the film. And it’s led Frasers Property to look at itself and say, ‘we need to be more than a developer, we need to be a thought leader in the way that we learn to live together going into the future.’ “ Once people see this documentary. I’m hoping what will happen is that people will see that it’s the little things that can be done today—a smile, a nod of recognition, picking up the phone instead of texting— that will create more strands of genuine connection and for people to realise they’re not alone.”

Those experts include well-known social researcher Dr Hugh Mackay, loneliness researcher Dr Michelle Lim, psychologist and social media expert Dr Rebecca Dredge, human connection scientist Dr Ali Walker, neuroscientist Prof. Selena Bartlett, and belonging expert Simon Hammond, among others.

The inspiration for the film came from more than a hundred hours of Frasers Property staff and customer conversations held over the course of 2021, facilitated

by Simon Hammond. They revealed a greater desire for belonging in the face of mounting social challenges.

“The irony of bringing strangers together to talk about belonging isn’t lost on me,” says Simon, “But it was like unlocking a gate. Once we gave people license to talk Behind the scenes

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So, why make a film?

General Manager of Brand and Customer at Frasers Property, Emily Wood, says that it was an opportunity to embark on a process of authentic discovery and storytelling—one that has no predefined marketing purpose.

Anthony Boyd, Joey Fry, Shannon Swan, Emily Wood

The Everyman

According to Shannon Swan, it was critical to the project that the film’s themes were balanced with a sense of optimism and hope. Key to that was being able to see through the eyes of someone who had lived experience of loneliness and its effects. Enter Joey Fry. “I came across Joey by pure chance. I was driving home one day and listening to Triple J. And this guy popped on the radio and said that in 2019 he’d had a fairly bad year and tried to commit suicide. Thankfully, he made it through, but he lost his leg. Joe was telling his story, and I was just listening to him thinking, ‘this is the guy’. We asked him to be part of the film, and he’s been brilliant. People meet him and immediately warm to him. The personal connection that he has with the topic and with other people really helps facilitate storytelling.

“At some time in our lives, you can almost guarantee that anyone you talk to has felt some sort of loneliness or separation. I’ve probably got the same goal as Joey— which is, if we can help one person live a better life or work out a way to build more connection into their world then it’s an absolute win.”

“Quite a few people have said to me ‘Em, why are we doing a documentary? That seems pretty left field.’ And it’s true that we could have published some research and few whitepapers and articles, but storytelling like The Great Separation is powerfully emotive and has the capacity to genuinely change hearts and minds.

“Frasers Property is in a fairly unique position in terms of having some influence over how people connect and belong through the neighbourhoods they share. In the role that we play in creating places, it’s really important for us to understand that. It’s important for us to share what we learn not only with our staff and our customers, but also as many people as we can.”

For Anthony Boyd the ambition of the film is emblematic of the company’s overall vision and purpose. “ We want to understand how we can help people belong and connect in the places they inhabit,” says Anthony. “We want to dig deeply into the secret of true belonging, where people feel safe and connected with each other. We want to create a point of view about what it will take moving forward to be stronger together and we want to highlight how simple connection can be if we collectively understand what is happening around us.

“This has direct bearing on the decisions we make and the way we act. It is not an attempt to promise or claim, but rather discover and learn. In our research so far, we’ve learnt that we all want better places to connect with other humans and enjoy happy lives. That means we have a huge responsibility to get places right and promote a vision for a better community life.”

To learn more about The Great Separation visit thegreatseparation.com.au.

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Port Coogee, WA

YEARS OF BUILDING BELONGING Community spirit is built on belonging.

So too is a sense of personal accomplishment.

That’s why we strive to create vibrant and socially connected neighbourhoods where people prosper and feel proud to belong.

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ADOPTING KINDNESS

Brookhaven resident and Adopt-an-Aged-Care-Resident initiator, Michelle Hunter and faithful companion, Wade the labrador.

ONE COMMUNITY’S MISSION TO TRANSFORM THE LIVES OF LONELY SENIORS A Brookhaven resident’s ‘Adopt-an-Aged-Care-Resident’ initiative is powerful proof of the importance and impact of community kindness.

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t was during a visit to her mother in an aged care facility that Brookhaven resident, Michelle Hunter, was confronted with the loneliness and isolation some seniors endure.

Determined to make a difference, she embarked on a mission to brighten their lives. Her brainchild, the ‘Adopt-an-Aged-Care-Resident’ initiative, isn’t just bringing joy to lonely aged care residents, it’s uniting and inspiring her local community too. “ It was heartbreaking to learn that there are many senior citizens in aged care that have no one to visit them or have no friends or family to rely on,” says Michelle.

There can be multiple reasons for this isolation. Some don’t have any family or are estranged. Some are separated from their loved ones by distance. Michelle says it’s especially lonely around the holidays or special milestones like birthdays.

“There are no cards and gifts.

No visits. They see those around them receive visitors and hear celebrations happening, but no one comes for them,” she says.

Propelled into action, Michelle founded her ‘Adopt-an-Aged-CareResident’ program, reaching out to a range of aged care homes in her region to identify seniors who lacked visitors and meaningful connections. Recognising the potential of the idea, a Lifestyle Manager at a nearby facility gave Michelle the green light. Twelve initial residents were identified, 8 men and 4 women, and permission granted to ‘adopt’ them into the initiative.

With Father’s Day approaching, Michelle decided to reach out to the Brookhaven Residents Group to see

A ripple of caring and goodwill

if anyone in her local community would be interested in participating in a gift drive. A budget of $30 per senior was set.

“If there was no interest, I was quite prepared to do it by myself,” says Michelle. “But then I got swamped by replies. Around 35 people put their hands up to help!”

With a little bit of information about each senior—for example, 97-yearold Colin is an avid reader, 84-yearold Ted loves sports, and 100-yearold Ron enjoys classical music—the Brookhaven community gathered gifts and cards to be delivered to the aged care facility on Father’s Day. Gifts ranged from colourful socks, cosy pyjamas, and slippers to word games, chocolates, books, and body products. Michelle even went the extra mile by sourcing beautifully crafted custom cookies from the local Sugar Hill Cookie Company in Bahrs Scrub. The response from the seniors was delight and gratitude.

Since this initial foray, word of the Adopt-an-Aged-Care program is out, with another aged care facility contacting Michelle. The number of seniors participating in the initiative has grown to 17. The Christmas gift drive is expected to be even bigger.

Michelle’s ‘Adopt-an-Aged-CareResident’ initiative has already started to create a ripple effect of kindness and goodwill within the Brookhaven community. Another resident has launched a similar program with her workmates.

Michelle hopes that others will be similarly inspired to start their own initiatives or get involved where help is needed.

That hope has led her to develop valuable educational tools and resources, including suitable products for seniors, knowledge about the typical size and layout of aged care resident rooms, and understanding the do’s and don’ts allowed by aged care facilities. She intends to make these resources available to those who wish to start their own ‘Adopt-an-Aged-CareResident’ initiatives, easing their path toward making a positive difference in the lives of lonely seniors. “ My personal philosophy is that if you are in a position to do something good for another person, you should do it,” says Michelle.

Michelle Hunter’s ‘Adopt-anAged-Care-Resident’ initiative is an inspiring testament to the power of kindness, demonstrating how a simple act of reaching out can bring joy and connection to seniors grappling with loneliness.

As it continues to grow and inspire others, it serves as a reminder that a caring community can make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most.

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THEIR OWN LITTLE PIECE OF PARADISE

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Port Coogee, WA

Nowhere does relaxed coastal living better than Western Australia. But if you travel a few minutes south of Fremantle in Perth, you will find a very special community taking this to an all-new level.

Port Coogee is a little slice of heaven; a vibrant place where the Indian Ocean sparkles like a sapphire and the sky flames orange and gold at sunset. A place where the day begins and ends with walks along the picture-perfect marina and pristine beaches, and where families and neighbours gather as friends.

We spoke to some Port Coogee locals about what makes life so special in their little slice of coastal paradise.

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they would set about turning their dream of living near the beach into a reality. Their journey led them to Port Coogee, where they purchased a block of land in 2007 and built their family home.

Nick Wyatt, Business Consultant (and one of the very first Port Coogee residents)

One of the very first residents of Port Coogee, Nick Wyatt has been enjoying the coastal life for over a decade. Nick hails from England, while his wife is a local West Australian. Having met in England, together they decided to settle in Western Australia where

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Despite being a self-confessed work-addict, Nick is deeply involved in the local community, particularly through the Cockburn Masters Swimming Club, and as a coordinator of the Coogee Jetty to Jetty Swim. “Delivering this community event for over 1,300 swimmers each year is what drives me in my spare time,” says Nick.

“That and encouraging others to take up swimming as a healthy lifestyle.

I’ll hopefully take the Jetty Swim to its 30th Anniversary in 2026, then it might be someone else’s turn!”

Describing Port Coogee as a place that has grown from nothing into a perfect community, Nick has made a lot of wonderful memories here, including his family’s annual Boxing Day picnic. “ We get together in Coromandel Park each year,” he explains. “With a couple of marquees, some light music, bocce, a game of cricket, it’s a great place to enjoy each other’s company right next to the marina and beach. Quite different and considerably warmer than the Boxing Day gatherings I was used to in England, but perfect nonetheless.”

Robert A. (Tony) Harben, Retired

Originally from Jersey in the southern English Channel, former Navy man Tony has always had an affinity for the sea.

Clare Nott, Public Speaker

Clare Nott and her family swapped ‘north of the river’ for Port Coogee’s idyllic shores in 2017. Clare, who represented Australia in wheelchair basketball for 14 years, was craving a coastal lifestyle, and found everything she wanted and more when she fell in love with Port Coogee and Ngarkal Beach.

Lee Mallia, Pharmacist

As another former north-sider, Lee and her husband were drawn to Port Coogee’s relaxed lifestyle and beaches almost ten years ago.

From accessible amenities to outdoor activities and a regular calendar of events, Clare enjoys having everything her family needs within close proximity.

A pharmacist at the local Bloom’s chemist, Lee says being able to achieve the all-important work/life balance while her child was young as one of the area’s main drawcards.

“ You don’t have to get in the car to go to the beach,” she explains.

“Ngarkal Beach is wheelchair accessible in the summer, and there are lots of great spots for a kid’s birthday party.”

“ Working in my local community has been amazing. Everyone is friendly and supportive, not to mention the added bonus of being able to walk to work.”

Beyond this, Clare credits the local people for making the area truly special. Whether it’s gathering for a kerbside barbecue or lining the street on Christmas Day as Santa throws out lollies, Clare loves the experiences her children are able to share with their neighbourhood friends. “I love that our kids are close in age and play together. They will grow up having Christmas mornings and summer holidays by the beach together. Everyone looks out for each other, and it makes this a lovely place to live.”

There is also nowhere else that can make daily life feel like a holiday, Lee explains. “Port Coogee has a beautiful coastline and a vibrant community, and the sunsets over the Indian Ocean are second to none. It’s a great place for families and holiday makers, with amazing beaches and outdoor spaces.”

Like many of his neighbours, Tony speaks passionately when asked about the special qualities of the area. “ Port Coogee represents everything we could ask for. It’s ultra-modern but with an oldfashioned sense of belonging, plenty of cafes and restaurants and, of course, the bluest, clearest sea you can imagine.”

In fact, Tony has a unique connection to the waters off Port Coogee, being one of two divers tasked with surveying the wreck of the OMEO, a famous ship that below ashore in 1905. “I was a volunteer diver for the Fremantle Maritime Archaeological Association of WA,” he explains. “In 1985 my diving buddy and I were asked to survey the OMEO. It took six years!”

Members of the public can see a copy of the OMEO map on the steps leading down to the beach near the site.

Describing the area as paradise, Tony enjoys watching the landscape change with each season. “I love the changing vista and the feeling of open space. Not to mention the ambience and community spirit. It’s as close to perfect as it can be.”

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Tom Fletcher-Dutton, Café Owner

Tom Fletcher-Dutton, has a strong connection to Port Coogee through his thriving cafe business and popular local hotspot, The Grind Reaper café. From just before sunrise to just after lunchtime, Tom and his team deliver a steady flow of coffee and food orders to the neighbourhood’s hungry residents.

What makes Port Coogee such a special place to run a business? “It’s got to be the beautiful beaches, the Omeo Shipwreck, and of course, the great coffee,” Tom says.

As the community’s favourite barista and confidante, Tom says his favourite aspect of the job is getting to know the people of the neighbourhood and hearing all their stories. “ It’s a welcoming community,” he says. “People are always stopping by to say hello.”

Nicki Thomson, Marketing & Communications Manager

A resident since 2018, marketer Nicki believes Port Coogee offers worldclass oceanside living.

“We have amazing sandy beaches with crystal clear, aqua coloured water right on our doorstep and some of the most amazing sunsets. There are lots of outdoor spaces to exercise, relax and unwind in, whilst taking in the ocean air. Most facilities are within easy walking distance, and Fremantle is just minutes away.”

Particularly fond of the drive down Pantheon Avenue, where towering Norfolk Pines frame a view of the sea, Nicki relishes how Port Coogee feels removed from the stresses of everyday city and suburban life. “ It’s our own little piece of paradise,” she says, “a friendly and inclusive community where our neighbours have become great friends.”

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Justin Watts, Forensic Document Examiner

When Justin and his wife visited the area ten years ago, they made a near instantaneous decision to put down roots.

Drawn by the unique combination of housing, amenities, and the spectacular marina, Justin, who emigrated from England in 1979, also wanted to provide somewhere special for his children to grow up. “I wanted my kids to be happy and healthy in a beautiful environment.” “ It’s a remarkable area and lifestyle,” he further explains.

“How could anyone live in a place where they don’t get the opportunity to see a sunset over the ocean? When you put the marina in the foreground, nothing makes for a better photograph.”

Looking at the scene Justin describes, it’s hard not to agree.

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LOSING EVERYTHING AND FINDING AUSTRALIA

Om Dhungel with wife Saroja

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OM DHUNGEL’S ODYSSEY FROM BHUTAN TO BLACKTOWN Forced to flee his homeland, Om Dhungel lost his possessions, his career, his country, and his home.

In remaking his life in Australia, he discovered renewed purpose and a profound sense of belonging. A new book by Om and journalist / author James Button, From Bhutan to Blacktown, charts Om’s journey from the rice fields of South Asia to the friendly street of Frasers Property Australia’s Fairwater community in Sydney.

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n the heart of Sydney’s Blacktown, overlooking a serene lake, sits a small café. It’s here that Om Dhungel, a man who has helped thousands of fellow Bhutanese refugees build successful new lives in Australia, shares his remarkable journey. A journey that began in the remote village of Lamidara, nestled in the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan. Om’s childhood was far from luxurious, growing up as the sixth of 14 siblings in a place devoid of modern amenities, where children worked on their parents’ farms.

Yet, against all odds, Om’s life took an unexpected turn when a primary school was built in Lamidara.

Education became his beacon of hope, and he worked his way through school, earning a scholarship to study engineering in Bangladesh. Soon, he found himself in a high-level job within the Bhutanese civil service. He dreamed of a future where he would wear the ceremonial red scarf of a senior civil servant, but fate had a different plan.

In 1992, Om’s world turned upside down as Bhutan initiated an ethnic cleansing campaign against its citizens of Nepali ancestry, most of whom were Hindu. The government saw them as a threat to its rule, resorting to violence and expulsion. Om’s father, a humble farmer and shopkeeper, was arrested twice and tortured. The situation became untenable, and Om made the agonizing decision to leave his family and beloved Bhutan behind, seeking refuge from the horrors that had engulfed his homeland.

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Finding Australia

Om’s long and perilous journey to settling in Australia as a student in 1998 is outlined in From Bhutan to Blacktown, a memoir co-authored by Om and journalist, James Button. A few years later, he and his family were granted refugee status. It marked the beginning of Om’s mission to support his fellow Bhutanese refugees. He has since played a pivotal role in the successful settlement of over 5,000 Bhutanese refugees in Australia. His experiences, from the struggles to secure employment to the resilience he witnessed in refugee camps in Nepal, formed the foundation of his approach.

As the first president of the Association of Bhutanese in Australia (ABA), Om applied a strategy of participation based on volunteering. He saw that every migrant possessed unique skills, which enabled them to help each other while gaining valuable work experience.

“Integrating into a new country takes time,” says Om. “ You must be patient, but also persistent. Study the language and customs, volunteer in your communities, and be useful. If you do the work, it will come together in the end.”

Under Om’s leadership, the ABA initiated annual Bhutanese sports and celebration days, established a Saturday language school to help people learn English, and created a sense of shared achievement within the community. The results were remarkable; a 2019 survey showed that nearly everyone eligible to work or learn in the Sydney Bhutanese community was doing so, with many securing employment and homeownership.

Fairwater, NSW

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Building strong communities

A mosaic of multicultural stories

Om Dhungel’s journey is not just a remarkable personal story but a testament to the power of community networks.

In a diverse place like Blacktown, where more than 40 percent of the population was born overseas, Om’s work has been instrumental in fostering connections among people from more than 180 different nationalities.

Om Dhungel’s story is one among millions, representing the face of modern Australia. In the past 25 years, nearly one in six of the population has migrated to this vast and diverse land. They come seeking opportunities, safety, and the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. In return, they contribute to the nation’s prosperity as well as its rich cultural tapestry.

Om’s dedication extends to his role as Fairwater’s Community Engagement Consultant, where he has the unique opportunity to shape and engage with the neighbourhood. His passion for bringing people together has helped transform Fairwater into a wonderfully connected place, celebrating diversity as its greatest strength. “ For me, the most rewarding part of working and living in Fairwater is to get to do what I am most passionate about, which is bringing people together to create a community,” says Om.

“What makes this place so special is that, rather than focusing on our differences, we come together as a group to celebrate everything. We start with what’s common – we are Fairwater residents first; our differences and diversity add to the richness of who we are as a society.

We have different cultures, different foods, and different languages. And from that, many different initiatives have been born, from street libraries and sustainability initiatives to festivals and even our own cookbook. People here are committed to the idea of community building.”

Om’s journey from the remote fields of Bhutan to the multicultural community of Blacktown is a testament to the resilience, determination, and spirit of Australia’s migrants. His work with the Bhutanese community and his commitment to fostering connections within Fairwater demonstrate the importance of community support networks in building strong, vibrant, and inclusive societies.

As Om continues to advocate for better settlement services and the empowerment of migrant communities, his story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. It reminds us that, in a country built on migration, the best of the old and new worlds can come together to create a brighter future for Australia.

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BUILDING A STRONGER, SMARTER, HAPPIER SOCIETY: HUGH MACKAY’S VISION OF COMPASSION, KINDNESS, AND COMMUNITY

Fairwater, NSW

There are few people that know more about the human condition or have observed the changing face of Australia more intently than psychologist, social researcher, and author Hugh Mackay. In a career spanning more than 60 years, he has written extensively about what makes us tick, the art of belonging, and how intentional acts of everyday kindness can spark a revolution in our communities.

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Hugh Mackay

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n a world driven by rapid technological advancement and cultural change, it’s easy to overlook the fundamental building blocks of society: community and kindness. Hugh Mackay, a prominent social researcher in Australia, has dedicated his career to unravelling the complexities of human interaction and the forces shaping our society. He says that kindness — the respect we show for one another, and the interest we take in each other’s welfare — is both an underappreciated source of our potential and the secret ingredient to a better world. “ Humans are hopeless in isolation,” explains Hugh.

“We are a cooperative species. It’s in our DNA to congregate, to communicate, to connect. And because we belong to a cooperative species, the most fundamental of all our psychological needs is the need to be taken seriously. The need to be acknowledged, recognised, heard and understood.

“So I would define kindness as anything we do that conveys that we’ve noticed them and that we’re acknowledging them. And when I say anything, I mean something as simple as a smile or a wave as you pass someone in the street, or saying g’day to a stranger in the lift.”

In his book, The Kindness Revolution, Hugh outlines the major social transformations that Australia has undergone over the last half a century or so. He argues that these shifts have left indelible marks on our communities and lifestyles, shaping the way we interact with each other and the world around us—and not always for the better.

“The single biggest social change in Australian society over the last 100 years, which is hardly ever discussed, are shrinking households,” says Hugh. “In the last 100 years, Australia’s population has increased fivefold, yet the number of households has increased tenfold. So we’re growing households at twice the rate of population growth. “ When you build a society in which every fourth household is a single person household, the risk of increased social isolation, the risk of loneliness, and all the things that flow from loneliness is greatly increased.”

The second great change is the rate of relationship breakdown. Some 35-40% of marriages end in divorce, creating a great deal of dislocation and fragmentation in people’s families and friendship circles. Declining birth rates, says Hugh, remove some of the social lubricant from neighbourhoods because as any parent knows, family networks grow when kids form friendships with other kids in their orbit.

Modern life’s frenetic pace often traps individuals in a cycle of perpetual busyness, also contributing to social fragmentation. The constant pursuit of productivity can leave little time for meaningful human connections.

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Ed.Square, NSW

Kindness as a daily practice

Despite these fragmenting forces, Hugh Mackay is optimistic that we have the power to rebuild and strengthen our communities. His thesis centres on compassion, kindness, and community as the antidotes to the challenges of modern life.

“Have you noticed how proud we all are of being busy?” asks Hugh. “As though it’s some kind of virtue that we wear as a badge of pride. Well, it ought not to be.

Busyness is the great enemy of social cohesion. Busyness is a great hiding place. Neighbours are having drinks on Friday night? Too busy. ‘Don’t disturb dad, he’s busy’. We need to beware of our own busyness.”

It begins with understanding that kindness is not an abstract virtue but a tangible, daily practice nourished by small acts of compassion and consideration. In his words, “Every act of kindness is a piece of love we leave behind.”

Simple gestures, like helping a neighbour or offering a friendly smile, have the potential to create a ripple effect, creating a culture of empathy within our communities.

And of course, the proliferation of technology has revolutionised the way we communicate and interact.

While it has the potential to connect us globally, it has paradoxically contributed to feelings of loneliness. “We have never been more connected, and we have never been more lonely,” says Hugh.

Mackay emphasises that the transformation of our communities begins with individual commitment. By making a conscious choice to prioritise kindness and neighbourliness, we can take meaningful steps toward building a stronger and happier society.

“Neuroscientists tell us the crucial ingredient in human relationships is eye contact. When we’re looking at screens we’re not looking at each other. Even on a video call, we think we’re looking at someone’s eyes, but we’re missing a great deal. The effect is that we are being seduced by information technology into confusing data transfer and screen based contact with human communication.”

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“The State of the Nation starts in the street where we live,” says Hugh. “If you’re trying to assess the health of a nation or society, you should look at the health of its local neighbourhoods. This is the place where we test whether we are compassionate people or not. This is the place where we must learn to get on with people that we might not choose to live with, but who then turn out to be our neighbours, and might be very different from us.

“One of the biggest contributions we can make to social health is by being good neighbours.”

Practical steps towards neighbourliness

To put this vision into practice, there are a range of practical strategies to strengthen a sense of neighbourliness within communities: Anthony Boyd, Hugh Mackay

1. Initiate conversations: Strike up conversations with neighbours, whether it’s a friendly greeting in the morning or a chat over the fence. Genuine conversations build connections.

2. Participate in local activities: Attend community events, volunteer for local initiatives, or join clubs and organisations that align with your interests. Engagement in these activities nurtures a sense of belonging.

3. Support local businesses: Bolster economic and social ties within your community by supporting local businesses and shopping locally.

4. Create neighbourhood gatherings: Organise a block party, picnic, or Christmas drinks for your street. Events provide opportunities for neighbours to come together and strengthen their bonds.

Port Coogee, WA

5. Lend a helping hand: Offer assistance to neighbours in need, whether it’s helping to pull the bins in, feeding a pet, or providing support during challenging times.

For change to occur, says Hugh, we must move from wishing for a better world and actually begin to build it. That responsibility belongs to everyone.

“ Revolutions never start at the top,” says Hugh.

“If you dream of a better society, one that’s kinder, more compassionate, more tolerant, and less cynical, there is only one way to make that dream come true. Each of us who share that dream must start living as if this is the kind of society we want it to be. And if enough of us start living like that, that’s the kind of society it will become.”

Burwood Brickworks, VIC

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NURTURING HEALTHY DIGITAL BEHAVIOURS

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

In today’s fast-paced digital age, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives. From smartphones and tablets to laptops and gaming consoles, screens are everywhere, presenting both opportunities and challenges, especially for children. Dr Kristy Goodwin, a renowned expert in the field of digital wellbeing, is on a mission to help parents and caregivers foster productive and healthy digital behaviours that support, rather than stifle, healthy childhood development.

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“ As a parent, I’ve been through the same dilemmas and faced the same uncertainties,” says Dr Kristy. “It’s not about demonising screens but understanding how to make them work for us, not against us.”

efore becoming Australia’s leading digital wellbeing and productivity expert, Kristy Goodwin was a teacher. Her interest in the development of children’s brains began in the classroom but it was the birth of her first child that led her to closely study the science of digital exposure on young people’s brains.

With a knack for synthesising complex research findings into everyday language and practical recommendations, she wrote her first book Raising Your Child in a Digital World, setting her on the path to becoming a sought after thought leader on the subject.

Dr Kristy’s work is grounded in rigorous research, but it’s her practical experience that helps

Dr Kristy Goodwin

her connect with anxious parents.

She understands the daily struggles and concerns of modern caregivers, having navigated the challenges of raising her own children in a digital world.

Her commitment to clearly communicating the science as well as practical insights makes her a trusted voice for those seeking guidance in an increasingly complicated digital world. She offers workshops, resources, and expert advice to help families strike a balance between technology and wellbeing. Her latest book, Dear Digital, We Need to Talk is billed as the “guilt-free guide to taming your tech habits and thriving in a digital world.”

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How much screen time is too much?

The number one question Dr Kristy is asked is “How much screen time is healthy?” Her answer isn’t a hardand-fast number, rather a call to analyse the purpose and quality of that screen time, as well as understanding what important activity it might be displacing.

“There are three really significant displacement effects we need to watch out for,” explains Dr Kristy. “Not just in our kids’ lives, but in our own too. The first is sleep. Kids and teens need both good quality sleep and an adequate amount to grow and develop. But the research tells us that many kids and teens aren’t getting enough of either.

One of the chief reasons, but certainly not the only reason, is because of their technology habits.”

The second is the displacement of physical activity. Too much time spent in front of screens keeps us still and sedentary, which over long periods can cause an array of health effects ranging from aches and pain and fatigue to obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes. We physically need to move if we want to live a long and healthy life.

And it’s not just physical health that matters. Movement and activity produce happy chemicals in our brains called endorphins which reduce stress and make us feel good.

The third is that screens displace our sense of connection with one another. As anyone whose been trying to have a conversation with someone looking at their phone

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or computer or even the TV knows, screens make us distracted and disconnected from one another. We may feel like we’re connected to what’s happening online, but we’re not connected to our friends, families, and coworkers where it matters. “ This can have really profound consequences for the health of our relationships, obviously, but it also can have devastating consequences for our health and wellbeing too,” says Dr Kristy. “Humans are social creatures, and if we don’t get a good dose of inperson social connection regularly, we can become withdrawn, lonely, and depressed.”

Taming digital distractions

While the dangers of excessive screen time are real, Dr Goodwin says that technology is here to stay. The goal for parents and caregivers isn’t to eliminate screens entirely—that would be unrealistic and unproductive, says Dr Kristy—but to teach children how to use technology in a way that enhances their lives rather than harms them.

She sets out the following strategies to help parents tame digital distractions and create healthy technology habits and behaviours:

Create screen-free zones

Help kids get a good night sleep by designating their bedroom as a screen-free zone. You might choose to do the same for the dining room or wherever family meals are eaten together, to encourage family conversation and bonding. Dr Kristy advises, “Have a designated ‘landing zone’ where all digital devices are stored each night so you can do a quick tech headcount before bed.”

Promote digital literacy and cyber safety

Be a good digital role model

One of the most critical aspects of fostering healthy digital behaviours in children is modelling the right behaviours as parents and caregivers. Dr Kristy says, “Children learn by example, so it’s essential to be a good digital role model. If you’re spending hours each night answering emails or scrolling Instagram, it sends a message that this is ok for them to do too.”

Teaching kids about digital literacy is a critical skill, says Dr Kristy. It’s important for parents to engage in discussions about online safety and the appropriateness (or otherwise) of certain content. “Children and teens don’t have fully developed prefrontal cortexes (the part of the brain that manages their impulses),” says Dr Kristy. “So, they’re prone to posting things they could later regret. Encourage them to pause-before-you-post and keep technology in publicly accessible parts of the house.”

Portion control

Dr Kristy says that when it comes to managing screen time, we need give kids clear guardrails to operate within and enough warning when their time online needs to come to an end. “Meltdowns and tantrums can be minimised by saying, for example: ‘When this episode ends, I’d like you to turn off the TV,’ or ‘When you’ve finished this battle, I’d like you to put the console away.’

This gives our kids a sense of control in their life.”

Prioritise ‘green time’

Balancing screen time with ‘green time’ is an essential strategy and a great way to connect with kids. Head to the park together, learn a new sport or skill, or simply burn off energy at the playground. “Getting your child outside after they’ve been on a device can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol,” says Dr Kristy. “Movement helps to regulate the nervous system too and helps their brains produce feel-good chemicals.”

Embrace boredom

Boredom is beneficial. “The human brain was not designed for constant information processing around the clock,” says Dr Kristy. “It craves moments of downtime and daydreaming. When we allocate time for daydreaming and mental wandering, we provide room for creative thinking and problem-solving.” It’s during these moments that children begin to develop a deeper understanding of themselves.

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Ed.Square, NSW

THE COURAGE TO CONNECT In the age of technology and seemingly endless convenience, it’s easier than ever to disconnect.

But at what cost to our health and happiness?

A featured expert in The Great Separation documentary, Human Connection & Culture Scientist Dr Ali Walker delves deep into the fabric of human connection, exploring the essence of our relationships and how they shape our lives.

“ When we develop a chronic habit of attachment to smartphones and other devices, our brains will tell us that connections with real people — spontaneous, awkward, out of our control — can be uncomfortable, and therefore we try to avoid them,” says Dr Ali Walker. This tendency toward self protection is at the heart of a paradox that’s dramatically reshaping the inner landscape of our lives. It’s become easier than ever to retreat into our bubbles and cancel out the incidental human connections that are actually good for us.

Many modern conveniences have a dark side, creating barriers between us and meaningful connections. “These days we can order food and work from home, find dates online and use AI to write things on our behalf,” says Dr Ali. “All of those things are very seductive, but they can make us socially avoidant, and when we become socially avoidant, we can experience loneliness.”

In her role as a human connection and culture scientist, as well as a sought-after corporate speaker, Dr Ali is frank about the barriers to interaction we now contend with.

With limitless choices at our fingertips, the technological age has brought both opportunities and challenges. An overabundance of options might seem beneficial, but it often leads to increased anxiety and decision paralysis.

“The fact that we have the entire world at our fingertips isn’t necessarily making us happier,” she says. “In fact, it’s making us more anxious and overwhelmed.”

This is having a significant effect on our health and wellbeing. While diet and exercise often top the list when we think of health, it’s human relationships that have the biggest impact on our longevity. “ Human connection actually has double the benefit of eating six servings of fruit and veg per day,” explains Dr Ali. “If you have strong relationships with family, friends, and community you have 50% less risk of dying early. If you exercise regularly and eat well, you have 23 to 33% less risk of dying early. So, we’re seeing the role that our social relationships play as almost double the impact of diet and exercise.”

Dr Ali Walker and Joey Fry

A bridge to belonging

To overcome avoidant behaviour and break out of our protective cocoons, Dr Ali recommends finding the bravery to push past the instinctual barriers our brains set up and instead take a ‘micro emotional risk’ to connect with someone.

This can be as simple as making smiling at a stranger or starting a conversation with someone new. “We now know that belonging and connection are our greatest psychological need,” says Dr Ali, “but connecting requires a leap of faith.” It involves taking micro emotional risks like making eye contact or initiating small talk.

The payoff? A heightened sense of wellbeing and contentment.

The courage to connect also opens up a richer world of human experience and understanding, providing us with opportunities and possibilities that might not have existed before. “ When we connect with another person, we create a bridge between us that creates its own new world,” explains Dr Ali. All of these worlds that we create between ourselves and other people, we can inhabit those worlds. They can be new experiences for us.

“So instead of looking for escapism or relaxation through a world on television, or a world in our phone, I’m suggesting that we find those experiences through the worlds we create with other people.”

At a time when it’s never been easier to hide behind screens and lose oneself in the vastness of virtual worlds, Dr Ali’s advice is a refreshing perspective on the undeniable power of human connection.

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THE BEST WAY TO END LONELINESS… IS TOGETHER

Mambourin, VIC

One in four Australians report feeling lonely—an issue with significant negative effects on health and mortality. Yet loneliness still isn’t talked about widely enough.

Overcoming that challenge while working to reduce the number of people experiencing loneliness is something that Frasers Property Australia and Ending Loneliness Together have teamed up to achieve.

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t was during the making of their social insights documentary The Great Separation—exploring the state of social disconnection and loneliness in Australian life—that the team from Frasers Property Australia met Dr Michelle Lim, Scientific Chair of advisory body Ending Loneliness Together. Bonded by a shared belief in the importance of belonging on people’s health, wellbeing, and human potential, a new partnership was born, with Frasers Property becoming the leading neighbourhood creation advisor to the country’s peak body on loneliness.

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“Loneliness is a wicked problem,” says Dr Lim. “It’s not something that we can Dr Michelle Lim resolve right away, nor can we resolve it by ourselves.

It requires collective effort and transformative partnerships to really make a difference. Because loneliness isn’t just one person’s business, it’s everybody’s business.

“Ending Loneliness Together is a coalition of around 39 organisations, ranging from not-for-profits and research organisations to industry partners and big corporates. The common cause is to address chronic loneliness in Australia, not only to raise awareness of it as a health issue but reduce its prevalence and effects.”

Frasers Property Australia CEO Anthony Boyd says that becoming an industry partner to Ending Loneliness Together, with special emphasis on creating and facilitating connection at the neighbourhood level, further

cements the company’s commitment to stronger, smarter, happier communities.

It’s a sentiment that’s shared by the star of The Great Separation documentary, Joey Fry.

“We feel really privileged to have met Michelle through the making of the film,” says Anthony. “She’s an amazing person and one of the best thinkers and practitioners in this space. Joining Ending Loneliness Together has already given us such extraordinary access to the latest thinking and research, elevating everything we’re doing from neighbourhood design to community development.”

“ I think we don’t talk about loneliness enough at a societal level, because we’re scared to be vulnerable,” says Joey.

“But what I’ve learned through the film is that there’s something so freeing in taking off your external armour and being open with friends and family.

Ed.Square, NSW

“ I think where Frasers can really play a role in this sphere is sharing insights from our own communities, where new neighbours—who are strangers to one another when they move in—have opportunities and experiences to meet and form bonds.

“As a developer of these places we have an incredibly unique opportunity to try new things and implement programs and initiatives that encourage social connection. Then, as we learn what’s working or not working, we can share those lessons with Ending Loneliness Together and add to the pool of knowledge that’s growing about the issue of loneliness and how to combat it.”

Joey Fry and Dr Michelle Lim

Raising awareness

Ending Loneliness Together’s four-stage approach includes scientific research and evidencebased measures, raising awareness, influencing governments and stakeholders, and giving people the information they need to better understand loneliness and the ways to prevent it.

Elevating the issue has included the establishment of Australia’s own Loneliness Awareness Week and the tabling of Ending Loneliness Together’s State of the Nation report to Federal Parliament in August 2023. “ One of the overarching goals is to remove the stigma of loneliness,” says Dr Lim. “What many people don’t know about loneliness is that it can affect everyone. It doesn’t have one face; it has many faces.

“It’s important for us to empower the person who feels lonely to make them feel safe to talk about their loneliness.

We now know that loneliness is an innate signal for us to connect with other people, one that’s not very different to feeling hungry or thirsty.

It is a natural human response. But, because of shame, people don’t reach out and it becomes a problem and becomes much more detrimental to their health and wellbeing. One of the things that I do to help people who might feel lonely is to really normalise the experience.”

Port Coogee, WA

“Being vulnerable can have surprising effects because you also give people permission to be vulnerable with you too. I’ve actually had some conversations with friends and family that I would never have had if I didn’t do this documentary. I would never have known that they were feeling the way that we’re feeling if I hadn’t have taken a chance on myself to be vulnerable and have that conversation.

“At the end of the day loneliness is a human emotion and why aren’t we talking about human emotions?”

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The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

YEARS OF DEVELOPING AUSTRALIA Looking back on a century of developing Australian communities, it’s been an opportunity to reflect on the growth of a nation and the evolution of our cities, homes, and neighbourhoods.

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THE ICONIC PLACES THAT SHAPE OUR CITIES

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The last couple of decades have seen Frasers Property Australia design and deliver a raft of award-winning communities that are exemplars in urban design and placemaking. As loveable as they are liveable, these are the iconic places that shape our cities and suburbs for the better.

Burwood Brickworks, VIC

Burwood Brickworks, VIC A new kind of urban village built on community and sustainability

Shopping malls aren’t commonly associated with the environment. But, at Burwood Brickworks, Frasers Property created what was recognised as the world’s most sustainable shopping centre in 2021, and established a better way to build for an entire industry.

The heart of a thriving urban village built on the site of a former brick manufacturing plant, Burwood Brickworks is an exemplar of contemporary neighbourhood design, with an attractive urban plaza, village green parklands, cycling and walking paths, dining, entertainment and convenience shopping, A variety of property typologies including apartments, detached and semi-detached homes as well as land lots were snapped up by local buyers in record time, with the project going on to win a slew of accolades including Design Excellence and Medium Density Development at the UDIA Victoria Awards for Excellence.

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Central Park Sydney, NSW

Central Park Sydney, NSW Sydney’s must-visit downtown destination

Stepping onto the grounds of Central Park Sydney today, it’s hard to believe that a just over a decade ago this was a derelict site on one of Sydney’s busiest streets. After a $2 billion makeover, Central Park’s Spice Alley is full of diners enjoying the best of Asian street cuisine. Shoppers and cinema-goers stream in and out of Central Park Mall’s jungled interior, while sun-kissed residents laze on the manicured lawns of Chippendale Green.

Central Park Sydney, NSW

With lush vertical gardens and a mirrored heliostat, One Central Park as become one of Sydney’s most instagrammed buildings. Comprising residential, student living, a multi-level shopping centre, commercial office space, child-care facilities and multiple hotels, this thriving inner-city neighbourhood is Australia’s most awarded mixed-use development.

Cova, QLD The high-water mark in coastal community creation

From its centrepiece marina and promenade to picturesque lakes and canals, wherever you turn at Cova, you’re met with the calming perspective of water.

Whether it’s boating, fishing, or dining at the water’s edge, Cova was designed to celebrate everything that makes this stunning slice of southeast Queensland so alluring.

Emphasising lifestyle and recreation, Cova includes nine parks, two lakes, more than 5km of walking and cycle paths, and the Cova Boathouse—an exclusive residents’ recreation club featuring a 25m lap pool, work pod, gym, barbecue, and kitchen facilities. Modern coastal streetscapes dotted with apartments, terraces, and expansive family homes with private pontoons allowed for a diversity of residents to share in this quiet and secure Hope Island enclave.

Cova, QLD

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Discovery Point, NSW Combining the tranquillity of waterside living with the pulse of the city

Tucked away in Sydney’s inner south-west, just 10kms from the CBD as the crow flies, is one of the city’s hidden gems: Discovery Point. Its 3,500+ residents enjoy resortstyle living virtually unheard of anywhere else this close to a major capital city: architecturally designed apartments with waterfront access to Cooks River, expansive parklands and playgrounds, a piazza-style village market and meeting place, indoor/outdoor heated swimming pools, gymnasiums, and walking trails.

Discovery Point abounds with smart, sustainable initiatives designed to ensure that nature and neighbourhood can thrive together. With its own water recycling plant on-site, there’s more on hand for irrigation of the community’s drought-tolerant parks and gardens. Reflecting the changing nature of car ownership and sustainable transport options, Discovery Point has its own car-share service and train station—just one stop from Sydney’s Domestic Airport. No wonder this charming waterside neighbourhood continues to delight all who discover it.

Freshwater Place, VIC

Freshwater Place, VIC A bridge between Melbourne’s history and future

Nestled on the southern bank of Melbourne’s Yarra River, the mixed-use residential, retail, and commercial precinct today known as Freshwater Place has always been a meeting point. With an important indigenous heritage and then subsequent development of warehouses and wharves as Melbourne’s first port in the late 1800s, Southbank’s evolution continues to bring people together in the pursuit of art, commerce, and riverside prosperity.

In 2005, Frasers Property set out to redevelop this neglected precinct of Melbourne, restoring its former glory as a trading post and meeting place, while reconnecting it with the thriving streets and laneways across the river. The resulting masterplan combined 37 floors of highly sought after office space with riverside restaurants and retail amenity, as well as luxury apartment living with fully equipped gym, rooftop garden, function space, theatre, pool, sauna, and more.

Discovery Point, NSW

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Port Coogee, WA

Port Coogee, WA Where every day is a holiday

Ask the residents of Port Coogee and they’ll tell you they’d never live anywhere else. With its laid-back coastal charm and picturesque location, it’s not hard to see why. But a great place to live is only part of Port Coogee’s story; the neighbourhood is also evolving into a world-class oceanfront destination and drawcard with a planned 300-berth marina, waterfront dining precinct, a vibrant Main Street, and a mix of townhomes, apartments, and short-stay accommodation all connected by pedestrian-friendly corsos and laneways.

A feast for the senses—the sound of flip flops on the footpath and children’s laughter in the waterfront park combine with the smell of seaspray and the sight of the glittering Indian Ocean stretching away to the horizon— it’s easy to see why residents say that every day’s a holiday at Port Coogee.

Queens Riverside, WA

Queens Riverside, WA In the heart of the action

Featuring beautifully landscaped open links, spectacular water features and gardens, and a European-inspired piazza that flows seamlessly between four architecturally arresting apartment buildings, Queens Riverside celebrates the unique beauty of the Swan River and the surrounding native parklands and reserves. All within strolling distance to the world-renowned WACA Ground, Trinity College, and Queens Gardens.

Port Coogee, WA

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When it’s time to retreat to home, there are exclusive amenities to enjoy—including pools, hot tubs, residents’ lounge, cinema-style theatre room, fully equipped gym, and resident concierge services. The precinct also includes Fraser Suites Perth, offering short and longstay options, that make Queens Riverside a place to call home for a day, a week…or forever.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

Shell Cove, NSW The perfect day out, decades in the making

First envisioned in the 1990s, Shell Cove has emerged as a must-visit destination on the NSW south coast. The largest coastal tourist/residential development ever initiated by a local government in Australia, Shell Cove is a joint venture between Shellharbour City Council and Frasers Property Australia.

Home to more than 3,000 Shellharbour families, the centrepiece of the neighbourhood is The Waterfront — a charming harbourside precinct featuring a 145-berth marina, a kids beach, a dining hub encompassing bars, cafes, and a tavern, a town centre with a Woolworths and shops, as well as a future library, community centre, and Crowne Plaza hotel. The result is the creation of an exciting new south coast tourism destination that’s proving a huge hit with locals and visitors alike.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

Yungaba, QLD

Yungaba, QLD From colonial landmark to luxury riverfront living

Nestled on the banks of the Brisbane River just 800m from the bustling CBD, sits one of Frasers Property Australia’s most unique projects: Yungaba. Centered around historic Yungaba House, this masterplanned residential community comprises four apartment buildings connected by expansive manicured gardens, and 10 unique residences lovingly restored and renewed

by Frasers Property alongside a team of the nation’s best heritage consultants.

Transforming Yungaba while preserving more than a century of history was no easy feat. A specialist team of architects, builders, acoustic engineers, and landscape designers were assembled to manage the delicate process of heritage design and restoration. The result is a beautiful and inviting residential enclave incorporating a suite of world-class residences that will keep this unique slice of Brisbane history alive for generations to come.

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THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN HOME EVOLUTION From wattle-and-daub huts and workers cottages to Californian bungalows and the ubiquitous triple fronted brick veneer, there’s been plenty of evolution in Australian house design. We look at the past, present, and future of the Aussie home.

Miner’s outside wattle and daub hut with bark roof, Hill.

Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

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leeping in tents at Sydney Cove in 1788, “on the hard cold ground; spiders, ants, and every vermin that you can think of” crawling over them, the early colonisers of Australia must have wondered whether it had been worth the eight months they had spent at sea to get there.

With tools and lumber in scarce supply—and perhaps taking their cues from the bark and branch huts built by local Aboriginal people on the banks of Sydney Harbour—early settlers turned to materials they could find in the surrounding environment to build more permanent accommodations. With dirt floors and mud walls, their rudimentary wattle-and-daub houses provided more shelter than a canvas tent but tended to disintegrate quickly when lashed by heavy rain.

Eventually, better materials arrived by ship or were manufactured locally, and the colonial Georgian style was born. Replicating the architectural styles popular from Britain, these early colonial buildings were boxy, insular, and formal.

“ When Australian cities were founded, building typologies were based on the English way of life,” says Rahmin Jahromi from Cox Architects. “That was seen as a masonry box with small windows, sitting around a very symmetrical, internally focused layout. It was a very introverted, almost clinical experience.”

Formality was important, with certain rooms—such as sitting rooms and dining rooms—not to be used for other activities. Similarly, the garden was for admiring, not for immersing in.

“You were not to use the garden, you were to look at it,” says Rahmin. “Houses at the time were designed to have a fairly passive relationship to the garden. In the grander homes they were there for aesthetic value, rather than for entertaining and spending time in. That came later.”

Single storey Georgian-style house with corrugated iron. Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales.

Two images below: State Library of Victoria, Illidge, Ralph.

Indoor outdoor interplay

Within the span of two or three generations from settlement, Australian housing styles rapidly evolved.

Ornate Victorian terraces and worker cottages sprang up in the inner suburbs of Melbourne and Sydney. As different parts of the country were explored and settled, new cities were established, and populations grew.

The modernist era

The hot, subtropical climate of Queensland necessitated a rethinking of the dominant architectural styles. The colonial experience in India provided a template.

In the post-war boom years, Australian housing styles evolved again, capturing the spirit and essence of the modernist era.

“A lot of these colonials had been to Asia before and imported ideas they’d seen in the sub-continent, such as the verandah” explains Rahmin. “Varanda is a Hindi word [meaning ‘roofed gallery’]. They amended that house to start taking on the element of a verandah and then eventually the evolution of that into the bungalow— which, incidentally, is a Bengali word.

The clean lines and lack of ornamentation of Mid-Century designs were widely embraced in Australia’s suburbs, though perhaps not as much as the ubiquitous triplefronted ‘brick veneer’ — famously captured by artist Howard Arkley as a celebration of a uniquely Australian suburban vernacular.

“ From there, the evolution of Australian housing and the birth of the classic Queenslander style created more of a relationship between the inside of the home and the outside.”

The nation’s embrace of indoor-outdoor living intensified in the inter-war and post-war years, as returned soldiers and European migrants put down roots. The compact and cheap to build California Bungalow became the dominant style. Many had space for a carport and a generous backyard, perfect for entertaining, cooking, and gathering with family and friends.

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Hallum Jennings, Design Director at Frasers Property Australia says that the modern era captured the essence of a newly sophisticated, confident, and laid-back Australia.

“We loved simple, free-flowing spaces and a lack of constriction in our living spaces,” says Hallum. “We had the ideal climate for indoor-outdoor entertaining, we had the means, and the love of a good time. Those factors, combined with the kinds of building materials that were prevalent at that time, influenced the architecture of our homes and the design of our gardens.”

Queenslander house in Harris Street, Windsor, Brisbane, ca. 1905. State Library of Queensland.

Putney Hill, NSW

The next frontier: socially connected, multi-purpose, and climate resilient

We’re now firmly in the ‘contemporary’ phase of Australia’s home design evolution. Open plan dominates with blurred lines between kitchen, dining, and living spaces. Light-filled rooms, large windows, skillion roofs, and a combination of natural stone, brick, and rendered facades predominate. A sense of ‘flow’ between indoor and outdoor entertaining areas is highly prized.

So, what’s next for the homes of the future? Hallum Jennings says that two of the three major design trends have been borne out of the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

“For a while, the pandemic meant we had to do everything from home,” explains Hallum. “Work, study, oversee the kids’ education, exercise, and entertain ourselves. For a lot of people, there was a realisation that the spaces in their homes weren’t that flexible or suitable for all these kinds of activities.

“And even though there has been a steady increase in those returning to the office for work, many people still prefer a hybrid situation. So having spaces in your home that adequately support work from home or home schooling are still very much in demand. We’re seeing new designs emerge with multifunctional spaces that allow for this.”

The second trend is in response to the greater sense of local connection that people experienced in their neighbourhoods.

“ For a long time, Australian home design has emphasised the backyard and private space, without considering the social benefit of a front garden or communal space that encourages neighbours to stop and say hello. As private open space in the form of backyards are reducing in size we’re seeing residents adapting by moving out into the public spaces, and we’re certainly designing dynamic communal spaces in Frasers Property communities like Ed.Square and Midtown.”

The third trend is toward greater energy efficiency in homes, whether through better siting and passive solar design, high performance insulation, renewable energy, or a combination of methods.

If you’ve shivered through the last couple of winters at home or sweltered through the summers, you’re no doubt keenly aware that older Australian homes leave a lot to be desired when it comes to internal climate and efficiency.

That’s something that many new home builders are addressing with 6-star, 7-star, and even 8-star energy rated homes. The inclusion of smart energy efficient features like insulated slabs, retractable window shades, solar power, double glazed windows, energy efficient appliances, and minimal air leakage, homes aren’t just more comfortable to live in, they’re far cheaper to run.

Ramin Jahromi says that all three of these emerging trends promise significant wellbeing benefits.

“People are still having their great home, but at the same time it’s more comfortable, more connected, and more resilient,” he says.

“It’s been a huge shift from where we started with a box with four walls and some tiny windows to where we are sitting now.”

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1920s

1940s 1930s

1960s 1950s

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1980s 70s

2000s 1990s

2020s 2010s

Australia’s journey over the past century reflects a growing sense of confidence in our nationhood, commitment to social progress, and adaptability to change.

Looking back on 100 years of our history, we can’t help but marvel at the enormous transformation the country has undergone as well as the exciting future that lies ahead.

Left: City of Melbourne, including rail yards and Yarra River, ca. 1924-1933, Charles Daniel Pratt. State Library Victoria.

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1920s

1930s

The Jazz Age

The Depression Era

After the horror and carnage of the First World War, the 1920s were a time for celebrating life, joy, and freedom.

The Jazz Age ushered in a bold, new modernity with radio widely available in people’s homes, the arrival of ‘the talkies’ in cinemas, and the proliferation of motor vehicles in the streets. Returning soldiers and a post-war marriage boom saw the suburbs flourish, with the Californian Bungalow the favoured style of home for many young families. The wild sense of optimism of the decade came to a sudden halt in October 1929, when the US stock market crashed, plummeting the world into The Great Depression.

Bookended by the stock market crash of 1929 and the start of the Second World War in 1939, the 1930s were a bleak and difficult decade marked by hardship, unrest, and soaring unemployment. Despite one in three people unable to find work and significant social and political upheaval, Australians found solace in sport, celebrating the victories of champion racehorse Phar Lap and cricketing legend Donald Bradman.

1920

1923

1928

One of the oldest continuously operating airlines in the world, Qantas, is formed.

The Sydney Harbour Bridge commences construction and Vegemite first appears on supermarket shelves.

Charles Kingsford Smith flies the world’s first trans-Pacific flight from America to Australia.

1921 Edith Cowan becomes the first woman elected to an Australian parliament.

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1924 Thomas Michael Burke incorporates real estate development company T.M Burke Pty Ltd.

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1930

1933

1939

Phar Lap wins the Melbourne Cup by an astonishing 20 lengths.

One of Australia’s longest running magazines, The Australian Women’s Weekly, is launched.

In solidarity with Britain, Australia declares war on Germany.

1932 Among the world’s most recognisable structures, The Sydney Harbour Bridge is officially opened to traffic.

1936 T.M Burke begins development of the Melville Golf Course located halfway between Perth and Fremantle.

Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1939, Phyllis Bromby. State Library Victoria.

1940s immigrant carpenter: NAA: A12111, 1/1949/16/2.

Phar Lap, ca. 1930, Charles Daniel Pratt. State Library Victoria.

1940s

1950s

A World at War

The Golden Age

The first half of the 1940s saw Australia once more on a war footing. More than a million people served in the defence forces, including women filling jobs in the auxiliary forces and the Women’s Land Army. Despite rationing of fuel and food, frequent air raid warnings, and an attack on Darwin in 1942, the Australian mood was more hopeful and united in the war years than they were during the deprivations of the 1930s. Once peace was declared, Australia rebounded quickly with a post-war construction boom. To meet the nation’s labour demands, Australia declared itself open to migrants— but only from Britain and Europe. Applications poured in by the hundreds of thousands, with new suburbs and towns designed to house them.

As peace and prosperity settled over Australia in the 1950s, the country made great strides in modernisation.

The popularisation of the ‘Great Australian Dream’ of a detached home on a quarter acre block fuelled the growth of the suburbs. Car ownership was affordable and there were plenty of jobs to go around. Post-war migration from Italy, Greece, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Ukraine, and the Netherlands helped to lift Australia’s population over 10 million people and transform it into one of the world’s most successful multicultural countries.

1940

1945

1949

1954

1957

1959

37,000 people walk across Brisbane’s newly opened Storey Bridge.

Australia celebrates the end of the war and the beginnings of a post-war boom.

1942

1948

One million people turn out to see Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip arrive in Sydney for their Royal Tour.

Australia’s first modern shopping centre opens in Brisbane with 25 retailers under one roof.

Hooker Corporation commences planning on the seven Centenary Suburbs of southwest Brisbane.

The aerial bombing of Darwin by Japanese fighter planes.

The first Holden motor car rolls off the assembly line at Fishermen’s Bend.

T.M Burke passes away.

The property business continues under the chairmanship of son, Marcus Burke, who eventually merges his family’s business with Hooker Corporation.

1956

1958

The Melbourne Olympics coincides with the advent of television broadcasting.

David Warren, a scientist at the Aeronautical Research Laboratory in Melbourne, invents the black box recorder.

Women of the Australian Women’s Land Army, ca. 1942-44. State Library Victoria.

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1960s

1970s

A Shift in Mood

The Personal Becomes Political

The 1960s ushered in a more socially conscious era as the post-war baby boomers reached adulthood. Campaigns for women’s equality, anti-Vietnam War demonstrations, and the rights of First Nations people were all flashpoints in a decade known for counterculture and civil rights. The Beatles toured, the world saw a man walk on the moon thanks to Australian satellites, and a Prime Minister disappeared.

In the suburbs, new homes in the Mid-Century Modern style shared the streetscape with a proliferation of walk-up apartments known as ‘six-packs’.

The 1970s were a tumultuous decade of social, cultural, and political change. The Whitlam Government sped through an extraordinary number of reforms, including free university education, equal minimum wage for women, a national health insurance scheme, First Nations land rights, establishing diplomatic ties with China, and a significant program of regional development. But, by 1975, the long postwar economic boom came crashing down under the weight of global oil shocks and the resulting stagflation.

1960

1961

1964

1970

1973

1978

Hooker Rex commences marketing of Killarney Heights, a distinctly Mid Century Modern neighbourhood in Sydney’s north.

T.M Burke Pty Ltd launches Sunrise Estate south of Noosa Heads, kicking off several decades of development of Sunshine Beach and Peregian.

Beatlemania comes to Australia as the Fab Four tour down under.

Hooker Rex begin marketing Paradise Waters, one of the first canal estates on the Gold Coast.

Queen Elizabeth II officially opens the Sydney Opera House.

1971

Cyclone Tracy demolishes Darwin on Christmas Day.

SBS, the Special Broadcasting Service, is established to reach Australia’s multicultural communities in their first language.

1962 The Commonwealth parliament passes a law allowing First Nations people the right to vote in federal elections.

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1967 Australia’s Prime Minister, Harold Holt, disappears while swimming off Cheviot Beach near Portsea.

Evonne Goolagong wins the Wimbledon Women’s Singles title.

1975

1980s

1990s

Australia on the World Stage

Technological Transformation

Everything was bigger in the Eighties. Big hair. Big egos. Big booms and busts. It was a decade of Australian achievement—our first (and only) America’s Cup win, Crocodile Dundee broke box office records, and INXS were the biggest band in the world. The 1980s saw the rise of the ‘McMansion’, and at the other end of the scale, a renewed interest in townhome living. Bold social and economic reforms opened up Australian competitiveness, with Australian wool, wheat, iron ore, and coal finding new markets across Asia. The economy boomed and it was the era of big business and big takeover bids...until it wasn’t.

The stock market crash of 1987 plunged Australia into recession, sending interest rates to a record high of 17.5%.

The 90s were a decade in which technology utterly transformed modern life. Beepers and palm pilots gave way to mobile phones and personal computers connected to each other through a new-fangled thing called the World Wide Web. Priscilla, Queen of the Desert transported everyone to the Australian outback while catchphrases from television shows like The Simpsons and Seinfeld entered the lexicon.

Telecommunications, utilities, banks, and airlines were privatised and by the late 1990s the economy emerged from its recession to fuel a long housing boom.

1981

1986

1989

1992

1996

1999

Olivia Newton John’s Physical becomes the highest charting single of the decade.

Crocodile Dundee rules the world-wide box office, pipped only by Top Gun.

1983

1988

Native title is recognised in Australia, thanks to the High Court’s historic Mabo decision.

Kieren Perkins wins gold in the 1500m freestyle at the Atlanta Games— a final he almost didn’t qualify for.

The newly elected Hawke government floats the Australian dollar.

Australia celebrates its Bicentenary.

Australand forms as the result of a reconstruction of the Land, Housing and Apartments divisions of Hooker Corporation.

1994

1997

Australand buys rival property business, Walker Corp, expanding its national business across residential, commercial, and industrial portfolios.

Galaxy TV, the country’s first PayTV service, launches with 8 channels.

Iconic Australian film, The Castle, becomes an instant classic.

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2000s

2010s

The New Millennium

Social Media and Social Movements

The new millennium dawned with hope and optimism.

Australia hosted the Sydney Olympics, with gold medal winners Cathy Freeman and Ian Thorpe among the world’s fastest people on land and water. Australians walked for Reconciliation and paved the way for the National Apology to Stolen Generations. But the 2000s were also a decade where our sense of safety was shaken by terror bombings, war, bushfires, and riots. Social media arrived in the form of MySpace, YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter, while the iPhone quickly became the world’s most coveted consumer product.

At home, there was nothing we loved more than a feature wall and a giant entertainment unit to house all our gadgetry.

All decades are packed with every manner of major events and milestones. But if there’s one theme that consumed our attention and sparked debate during the 2010s, surely it was the issue of climate change. The hottest decade on record culminated in flood, cyclones, and the Black Summer fires— unprecedented in their ferocity and damage. Australians flocked to social media to have their say, not just about climate change, but #MeToo, marriage equality, and Black Lives Matter. We elected our first (and to date only) female Prime Minister, set trade and tourism records, and sat glued to our streaming services for the biggest TV show of the decade—Game of Thrones.

2000

2004

2009

2010

2015

2017

IOC Chairman Juan Samaranch declares the Sydney Olympics “the best Olympic Games ever”.

Tasmania’s Mary Donaldson marries the Crown Prince of Denmark.

After a decade of drought, the Black Saturday bushfires devastate regional Victoria, destroying thousands of homes, millions of animals, and taking the lives of 173 people.

Julia Gillard becomes Australia’s female Prime Minister.

Global real estate company Frasers Centrepoint acquires Australand; the company rebrands as Frasers Property Australia.

First Nations people draft the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

2001 Australian troops are sent to Afghanistan to fight the war on terror.

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2006 Australand launches Port Coogee in WA and announces that Discovery Point in NSW will be the first development in the country with its own water recycling plant.

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2012 Somebody That I Used to Know by Australian artist Gotye becomes the highest selling single of the year.

2019 Black Summer fires burn more than 24 million hectares of land.

2020s The Disruption Decade The twenty-first century’s answer to the ‘Roaring Twenties’ began in unforgettable fashion—with the global spread of the COVID-19 virus. With home the new epicentre of work, education, entertainment, and recreation, Australians adapted and earned a new appreciation for their local communities and neighbourhoods. By 2023, 44% of us were still working from home or in a hybrid model, demonstrating a significant shift in attitude about where we need to be in order to be productive in our jobs. With much of the decade still ahead of us, major issues like housing affordability, climate change, and representation and recognition of First Nations people will likely remain front and centre.

2020

2022

2024

COVID-19 forces lockdowns and restriction of movement in much of the country.

Head of the Commonwealth and the UK’s longestreigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II dies at age 96.

Frasers Property Australia celebrates 100 years of history.

2021 Ash Barty wins the women’s singles title at Wimbledon.

2023 Australia votes in ‘The Voice’ referendum.

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OUR HISTORY FROM T.M BURKE TO FRASERS PROPERTY AUSTRALIA

In 2024, we’re celebrating 100 years of our Australian property development history. And though it’s not our birthday per se, it is a reflection on a century of experience and lineage that extends from the days of real estate entrepreneur T.M Burke in 1924 to Frasers Property Australia today.

Like any story played out over ten decades, it has its fair share of twists and turns. Major plot points. Colourful characters. Mergers and demergers.

Through it all, one thing stayed constant: a desire to create the kinds of places people are still drawn to many generations later.

Cameron Leggatt Executive General Manager Developments

B

y all accounts, Thomas Michael Burke was an indefatigable champion of Australian development.

Born near Ararat in 1870 to Irish and Scottish settlers, Thomas worked as a railway clerk as a young man, before founding the Civil Services Co-Operative Society in 1903, a large member-driven cooperative store in Melbourne’s Flinders Street, with several suburban and rural outposts across Victoria. An early advocate for the federation of the colonies, Burke would go on to play a leading role in the country’s first ever ‘Made in Australia’ Exhibition in 1904.

As the country marched to war in the mid 1910s, Burke bought land in the depressed market and turned his hand at subdivision. In the post-war years, he sold those subdivided properties to returning servicemen and their families on nominal deposits and modest terms, spreading the “new gospel” of “8d. a day” to secure a slice of an expanding Australia.

With his new real estate business growing fast, Burke incorporated T.M Burke Pty Ltd in August 1924 with offices across the country, in capital cities and regional centres.

Looking back at the company’s old sales and subdivision plans from this era, two things stand out to me. The first

is that it’s clear that Burke had a knack for marketing. His projects extolled the importance of access to the nation’s mass-transit infrastructure, good schools, and fresh air.

Some things never change!

The second is the price of land. In the interwar years, it wasn’t uncommon to find a block of land in a T.M Burke development for between £100 - £200 — roughly $10,000 - $20,000 in today’s money. Payments were advertised at £1 a month.

In addition to being a prolific developer of smallerscale subdivisions, T.M Burke’s company undertook many large projects that set new benchmarks for design and masterplanning. The Merrivale Garden Suburb in Melbourne is one example. In the early 1920s, it was one of the first in the country to emphasise green space, recreation, and walkability. Designed by Saxil Tuxen, a contemporary of Walter Burley Griffen, Merrivale Garden Suburb (today known as the suburb of Reservoir) marked a movement toward working with the topography of the land and balancing the benefits of urbanisation with nature.

Another was the development of Sunshine Beach and Peregian on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Burke’s business was heavily involved in the region from 1927 to the 1960s, helping to open up the area, developing key infrastructure including bridges and roads. Imagine having the opportunity to own a slice of this part of Sunshine Coast paradise for a £10 deposit and £1 a month!

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The Hooker Corporation Years

Thomas Michael Burke passed away in 1949. By that time, the company was run by his son, Marcus Burke, who— over the course of the next 20 years or so—progressively sold the family business to L.J Hooker’s development arm, Hooker Corporation.

Between the 1960s and 1980s, Hooker Corporation was one of the largest and most active development companies in Australia. Over the decades, Hooker helped to transform the Gold Coast and Sydney’s northern and southern suburbs, with significant developments in Killarney Heights, Castle Cove, Cherrybrook, Winston Hills, Kogarah, and Maroubra. Hooker Corporation were also responsible for planning and delivering what it called “a developer’s dream”—seven new Brisbane suburbs called the Centenary Suburbs, to house more than 30,000 families, through the 1960s and 1970s. A phenomenal achievement.

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Major retail destinations like Sydney’s Warringah Mall and the Gold Coast’s Pacific Fair also owe their beginnings to Hooker’s development prowess, along with scores of commercial buildings and industrial parks in almost every capital city.

Heavily hit by the market crash of the late 1980s, Hooker Corporation was forced to radically restructure. Its land, housing, and apartments division was refinanced by a consortium of banks so that homes and apartments already under construction could be completed.

This move paved the way for the creation of Australian Housing and Land, eventually to be renamed Australand.

The Australand Years

Under the experienced helmsmanship of Managing Director Brendan Crotty, the emergent Australand business quickly demonstrated its capacity for quality development.

By the late 1990s, Australand was delivering a wide variety of residential, commercial, and industrial projects across the country, including Watervale in Melbourne’s west, The Maltings in Perth, Runaway Cove in the Gold Coast, Westlake in Brisbane, and the redevelopment of King Street Wharf in Sydney.

Having built a trusted reputation for delivering largescale, mixed-use projects, Australand was regularly tasked with taking complex sites in inner urban areas and breathing new life into them.

One of the largest of these was Freshwater Place on Melbourne’s Southbank. Acquired by Australand in 2001, Freshwater Place was built on the site of the old semi-industrial Queensbridge precinct, which had fallen into disuse. Today, thanks to the efforts of Australand, the neighbourhood is a thriving hub of retail, dining, commercial and residential uses as well as a vital link between the CBD and its arts and entertainment precincts.

The Ponds, NSW

In Sydney, Australand redeveloped several key sites that would go on to shape the city’s skyline, including Balmain Shores, Paddington Barracks, Henry Deane Plaza and Discovery Point. In a long-running joint venture with the NSW government’s land development agency, Landcom, Australand masterplanned one of the most popular projects in the state’s history: The Ponds. A suburb-sized development in Sydney’s north-west, the more-than 4000 properties of The Ponds sold out within seven years.

In other parts of the country, Australand broke ground on Port Coogee south of Fremantle, launched Shell Cove on the NSW South Coast, and delivered an elegant restoration of historic Yungaba House in Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point.

Over the course of a quarter century, Australand grew to become one of the largest diversified property companies in the country, and an established leader in community creation and sustainability. In 2014, it was bought by global property giant Frasers Property, merged with its existing Australian-based business, and renamed Frasers Property Australia.

Yungaba, QLD

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Central Park Sydney, NSW

Frasers Property Australia

A century of history developing Australia’s towns and cities has deeply informed our purpose: to create stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods that promise greater futures. We are, after all, a product of what’s come before us and everything we’ve learned along the way.

The backing of a $40 billion multinational brand with activities in more than 20 countries around the world, puts us in the remarkable position of being able to deliver on that purpose again and again. It affords us the license to try new things, take on complex challenges, and create new opportunities for the Australian housing market.

Notable examples include Australia’s most awarded mixed-use community, Central Park Sydney; the transformation of a post-industrial slice of Brisbane’s Northshore into the exclusive neighbourhood of Hamilton Reach; and the creation of the world’s most sustainable shopping centre at Melbourne’s Burwood Brickworks.

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Hamilton Reach, QLD

Along the way we’ve also started our own carbon-neutral energy company, Real Utilities, supplying cheaper, greener energy to homes and buildings in Frasers Property communities. Our Property Management business services thousands of rental properties across the country. And our popular customer loyalty program, Frasers Property Care & Rewards, provides dedicated care and assurance, as well as valuable benefits that customers can use themselves or share with family and friends.

The next 100 years

Looking back at the property businesses that shaped a century of history, there’s a defining characteristic that appears over and over: tenacity.

For T.M Burke, it was the tenacity to build the country’s largest real estate development business despite the shocks of the Great Depression and the second world war. His was the determination to see Australia grow and for Australian families to own their share.

In the Hooker Corporation years, it was the resolve to modernise suburbia and transform cities at a vast scale to meet the demands of a burgeoning, multicultural populace. Later, Australand took up the mantle of sustainability leadership, demonstrating more efficient modes of living and working with the largest portfolio of Green Star certified properties in the country.

As we look to the next 100 years, our vision is to create belonging, because we believe our shared future depends on how we live life together.

A century of creating homes and communities for hundreds of thousands of Australian families— both born here or newly arrived—has shown us that when we live and work in welcoming places with plenty of opportunity for social interaction, friendship, beauty and belonging, we thrive.

It’s a belief that serves to organise all our efforts, from design and placemaking to community development, social sustainability, and beyond.

Because we know that when the next 100 years of our story is written, the existence of stronger, smarter, happier communities in which we played some small part, will be our greatest legacy.

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Ed.Square, NSW

YEARS OF GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAMS Once upon a time, the great Australian dream meant a home in the suburbs on a quarter acre block. Today, that dream comes in all shapes and sizes—as diverse as the people, places, and aspirations that make up modern Australia.

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UNEARTHING THE QUARRY BRISBANE’S ELEVATED URBAN OASIS

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Rising high above the Brisbane suburb of Keperra, a new project by Frasers Property Australia is a remarkable testament to visionary urban renewal, sustainability, and a harmonious blending of topography and modernity. The Quarry is set to transform a once scarred and arid landscape into a vibrant, green, and close-knit community.

F

or more than half a century, the western side of Enoggera Hill in the Brisbane suburb of Keperra has been mined for granite, with the material making its way into the city’s roads and retaining walls.

The quarry’s operations, largely concealed by its hillside elevation, meant that the site’s breathtaking views were, until recently, an extremely well-kept secret.

That all changed last year, when Frasers Property Australia—the new owners and redevelopers of the site—launched Brisbane’s most elevated new residential community, The Quarry. Where once heavy earthmovers and excavators roamed, a new neighbourhood is now taking shape amidst a rewilded and regreened landscape.

Nick Kostellar, Development Director for The Quarry, knows the area well, having grown up in the surrounding suburbs. Yet, even for him, The Quarry held unexpected surprises. Nick’s first visit to the site left him in awe of its potential.

“It’s a dramatic site with a lot of unique elements to it,” says Nick.

“The first is the elevation and the views. Particularly at its highest points, where some homesites sit at around 170 metres above sea level, there are spectacular vistas toward the D’Aguilar Range, Glasshouse Mountains, Moreton Bay and beyond.

“The second characteristic is the geology. The kind of rock we’re working with really dictates the engineering approach. But it also creates an opportunity to celebrate it and use it in a way that highlights its natural beauty within a landscaped environment.”

Frasers Property spent close to two years conducting civil construction works to unearth that beauty before revealing the first land lots on the market. The works included creating a public entry point to the site with an impressive cliffside entry statement and constructing internal roads that lead to the Rothelowman-designed residents’ pavilion with landscaped gardens and pools. In honour of the site’s history, a large boulder perched at the eastern entry to the pavilion is an imposing reminder that this new neighbourhood is quite literally carved from ancient stone.

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‘Threading the green’

More than 40 per cent of The Quarry is dedicated to existing bushland and newly curated green space and resident amenities. Nick sees the approach to landscape regeneration, with its dedication to rebuilding biodiversity and planting of more than 100,000 plants and trees, as critical to The Quarry’s long-term identity and sustainability.

“Our approach to rehabilitating the landscapes touches every aspect of the site,” explains Nick. “It starts with the way streets and pathways will be landscaped to create a more walkable environment, expanding upwards and across the hillside to meet the forest canopy of Enoggera Hill.

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“ Punctuated throughout will be pocket parks and lookout areas to take in the views. We call it ‘threading the green’ and it’s an approach that creates a really beautiful and serene experience from top to bottom.”

As part of the process of landscape renewal, the project has introduced a bee colony on-site to assist in the regreening.

“Bees play a critical role in pollination and regreening,” says Nick “So, we’ve got a bee colony on-site to assist in that strategy. We put them in about two years ago, and they’ve been such hard workers that we’ve been able to harvest more than 70 litres of honey to bottle and give as gifts to new residents. The gift of honey has been a great way to connect people with the importance of environmental renewal and caring for our local landscapes and biodiversity.”

Next-level amenity and lifestyle

The resort-style amenities of The Quarry have been designed to enhance the quality of life of its residents, not just through moments of relaxation and recreation, but opportunities to connect with their neighbours and friends in social spaces.

The centrepiece is ClubQ—the $5 million residents’ recreation centre offering designated spaces for yoga and meditation, an entertainer’s kitchen, work and library zones, lap and recreational pools, sun decks, and a gym. It even features a water play zone and a kick-and-play sports oval for the kids.

Future retail amenities are also planned. The neighbourhood will soon offer a place to grab a coffee, shop for everyday essentials, or access childcare and other services—all moments from home.

For Nick, the legacy of a project like The Quarry lies in its transformation potential. He sees his role as breathing new life back into the scarred hill while creating a place that’s truly unique in Brisbane’s urban fabric.

“This is without doubt one of the most significant urban renewals Frasers Property has ever undertaken, and it’s both a challenge and opportunity that we’ve wholeheartedly embraced,” says Nick. “Some of Brisbane’s most celebrated precincts have been transformed from former industrial uses into the sort of vibrant places people are irresistibly attracted to. I believe The Quarry will be one of those places when it’s complete.”

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BUILDING COMMUNITIES...

From the tiniest country towns to the bustling suburbs of major cities, you’ll find buildings dedicated to the community in which they stand.

Whether you know them as the ‘local hall’ or the ‘community centre’, these spaces are the lifeblood of Australian neighbourhoods, supporting shared experiences and social bonding.

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IN COMMUNITY BUILDINGS

C

ommunity halls in Australia trace their roots back to the earliest days of settlement, often built as adjoining rooms to churches and Sunday schools. The period between the World Wars saw an increase in the establishment of standalone memorial halls, built to honour those who served.

Over the years, these buildings acted as vital community hubs where locals could gather for social events, town meetings, and various civic activities. Many still stand today, dotted across the Australian landscape from the outback to the big city. A testament to the life and times of their towns, these community spaces have hosted everything from cake stalls and community dances to weddings and political meetings.

Today, the importance of a room for a community to call their own is just as necessary as ever. The technology may be better and the uses more diverse and inclusive than in days gone by, but the fundamental essence remains: community spaces are valuable enablers of belonging and connection.

Claire Palmer, Frasers Property Australia’s Community Development Manager at Ed.Square in Sydney’s south west, says that community spaces are vital elements of shared infrastructure with the potential to foster civic engagement and local pride. “ Community spaces remove the friction of trying to find a suitable place to meet,” she says. “When you remove location and logistics as a barrier, the space becomes a reliable and convenient enabler for community connection.”

Claire has been a key driver in the establishment of Ed.Square’s Community Centre, opened in mid 2022.

A bright and modern wheelchair-friendly space with a large meeting room and a fully equipped commercial kitchen with cooktop and other modern facilities, the Ed. Community Centre has been busy ever since hosting playgroups, reading groups, board game nights, painting classes, meditation and stretching sessions, meet-yourneighbour events, and community resilience training.

“ Being able to deliver this space early in the community’s establishment has really enabled us to respond to the enthusiasm of our founding residents who are keen to connect with neighbours,” says Claire. “It provides a welcoming environment that physically demonstrates the opportunities to get involved and be part of the community.”

And it’s not just about what’s happened so far, but what’s in store as well. Opportunities for increased educational uses, creativity, and crafts, as well as possible co-working are all under discussion.

The power of connection

Looking to the future, Claire’s vision for the community at Ed.Square is one where the bonds of belonging and a tight-knit community overcome the growing challenge of loneliness.

“With loneliness such a huge problem in Australia and around the world, we now know there are significant social and health implications,” says Claire. “Research shows that the most effective way to counteract and reduce feelings of loneliness is to ensure people feel connected to their community. I love that my job allows me to help enable and facilitate those connections.”

And with a dedicated space to do that in, Ed.Square promises to be a beacon of community spirit for years to come.

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THE FASCINATING HISTORY OF THE BRADMILL DENIM FACTORY A TALE OF INDUSTRY, INCLUSIVITY, AND INNOVATION. As we mark 100 years of creating iconic Australian places, we’re proud to unveil Bradmill Yarraville, a new community built on the foundations of a proud Melbourne institution, whose name was known around the world for quality and ingenuity.

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We are indebted to the work of Melbourne historian and writer, Olympia Koziaris, author of The Stories of Bradmill, from which the information for this article is sourced.

Images supplied courtesy of Vic Muscat, Rob Dickson, and the Footscray Historical Society.

At its height, the Bradmill Denim Factory in Yarraville produced 36 million square metres of cotton denim a year, almost enough to wrap the world. Through five decades of operation, the factory’s employees built lives and forged friendships, creating cherished memories along the way. Though the looms have fallen silent, the threads of togetherness woven within Bradmill’s walls remain unbroken, a testament to the lasting impact of this iconic Australian institution.

The birth of Bradmill

Founded in Sydney in 1927 and expanding its operations into Victoria in 1940, Bradford Cotton Mills was, by the middle of last century, the largest producer of textiles in the country. In the late 1950s, a new factory on Francis Street, Yarraville was opened, and the company changed its name to Bradmill. Over the next 50 years, the facility integrated cutting-edge technologies and employed thousands of workers, eventually earning global recognition for its innovative denim production.

Bradmill was a hub of ceaseless activity, with machines running non-stop. At its peak, the factory produced a staggering 36 million square meters of cotton denim annually. “Almost enough to wrap the globe,” says former Bradmill Managing Director, Rob Dickson.

Besides cotton and denim, the company produced materials like Colvadure, nylon, polyester, rayon, elastomeric stretch yarns and more for various products.

Known for their durability and strength, Bradmill’s canvases could be found in a range of products from firehoses and deck chairs to tents and tarpaulins.

The scale of the factory’s operations required enormous resources. It used 40,000 bales of cotton a year, was the third-largest water user in Victoria, and consumed so much electricity that a single bill could exceed a million dollars.

Despite the twin challenges of increased competition and inflation in the 1980s, Bradmill thrived on innovation.

Venturing into new export markets and developing pioneering products, Bradmill invested in state-of-the-art spinning equipment from Germany, which ran 24/7 and attracted global attention.

“ This little place in Yarraville attracted people from Switzerland and Germany because there was nowhere else in the world where these machines were running 24/7,” says former Operations Manager, Bob Green.

“They sent their engineers to find out what we were doing, and to be doing it so well. They couldn’t believe what we were able to do.”

By the 1990s, Bradmill denim accounted for a significant portion of the business. Their stretch denim was globally renowned and sought after by luxury brands like Dolce & Gabbana. Bradmill even pioneered “Dirty Denim,” a proprietary process that created distinctive denim effects popularised by fashion brand, Diesel.

“We were small in comparison to other big overseas operations,” says former CEO Allan Kerr, “But we were very well regarded because of our quality, innovation, and relationships.”

Despite Bradmill’s reputation and the best efforts of their management team, the pressure of cheap imports eventually pushed Bradmill into receivership in the early 2000s. The site was shuttered, laying dormant for two decades before being bought by Frasers Property Australia and partner, Irongate, who will resurrect Bradmill’s 26 hectares into a vibrant new Yarraville neighbourhood.

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Putting people first

Bradmill became like a second home for many of those who worked there. They found a sense of belonging and camaraderie that sustained decades-long careers, in some cases from apprenticeship to retirement. Lynne Carr fondly remembers her time at Bradmill, saying, “There was something that was extraordinarily welcoming about the whole place.”

According to Bob Green, this welcoming atmosphere was deeply ingrained in the company’s culture. “Put people first, and we will succeed” was the mantra.

Employees understood that every job, no matter how seemingly small, was crucial to the company’s success.

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Many new employees were welcomed into Bradmill by family or friends, creating a warm and personal introduction to the company. Family connections not only helped newcomers adjust but also built a sense of safety and belonging.

Lupco Masalkovski’s story exemplified this sense of community. He migrated to Australia at the age of twenty and found his first job at Bradmill, where his uncles worked. “Everyone encouraged me to learn the English language, and then it all became easier and better,” he says. Lupco stayed with the company for twenty-five years until it closed.

Steve Pellegrino, who joined Bradmill at nineteen years old and stayed for 36 years, felt a deep sense of loyalty to the company. “It was a great place to work, and I enjoyed being there,” says Steve. “It was all the people I used to work with; in a way it was like a family. I started there and I never left.”

The Bradmill family

The people of Bradmill considered themselves part of a unique family. They shared their workdays, meals, and social lives. From celebrating each other’s achievements to attending weddings and birthdays, lives were intertwined both inside and outside the factory gates.

Julie Block, an Office Administrator at Bradmill, fondly remembers how people gathered for morning tea and shared stories about their families. Multiple generations often worked side by side, creating a deep sense of familial connection. “It was a very family-oriented place to work,” she says. “Of all the places I’ve worked, what we had at Bradmill was rare.”

Michael Chong, who worked in the Bradmill Testing Lab, shared how his colleagues helped prepare for his wedding when he couldn’t afford it himself.

Even today, more than two decades since Bradmill’s closure, people stay in touch. Office Administrator Jacqui Carton set up a Facebook page to ensure that everyone who ever worked at Bradmill Yarraville would have access to details of the next annual reunion.

“The people that worked at Bradmill were multigenerational and multicultural,” said Jacqui. “It felt like a big family and that’s why it probably endured and why there’s longevity to the relationships.”

Despite the familial bonds at Bradmill, external challenges challenged the company’s existence. The end of tariffs and changes in ownership led to a turbulent period, ultimately ending in receivership. For many loyal employees who had dedicated their lives to Bradmill, the closure of the factory was a devastating blow.

Steve Tjobanakis, a Textiles Mechanic & Supervisor, summed up the loss: “Our family had been broken apart.”

“ I didn’t have the money…but the lab assistants knew I was on my own and that I met somebody; so, they all helped to prepare for my wedding. They brought things…they decorated the place up. You don’t get that anywhere else, so for me, that was very sentimental.

And they were so happy for me. It was a cheap wedding, but it was happy. That’s one of those things you cannot buy with money.”

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United nations

In the late 1980s, Melbourne’s The Age newspaper, profiled Bradmill as a microcosm of multiculturalism, with at least 34 home countries represented among the 1200-strong workforce. The diversity was fluid and dynamic, shaped by global events and Australian migration policies.

The factory’s early migrants were often skilled workers from Northern Europe. The 1960s saw a significant influx of Greek and Italian migrants. The following decade witnessed a surge in migration from Yugoslavia. By the late ‘80s, Portugal was represented as were people from South America. Despite their different backgrounds, the Bradmill workers embraced each other as equals.

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“ What was amazing for me was that they became even better, closer friends during this time,” says James.

“You would think that with the war they wouldn’t talk to each other or hate each other but at Bradmill they did not do that. They become better friends! They treated each other like a family member.”

“We were like the United Nations,” says Georgia Kikidis.

“People from all around the world came together.”

Arriving in Yarraville from China, James remembers being astounded by the multicultural neighbourhood that surrounded Bradmill. As he walked along Francis Street, he marvelled at the houses with front gardens— something entirely new to him. “I’d never seen this type of street in Shanghai before,” he says. “All the houses (were laid out) one by one and each one had a front garden! All the gardens had different flowers and plants and a lawn. I’d never seen this before in my life.”

Her colleague, Vic Muscat concurs: “Many people had escaped wars — Vietnam, Lebanon, Greece — and found a peaceful country, a place to heal. Bradmill gave them that.”

The residential area near Bradmill, primarily inhabited

by Greek migrants, also made a profound impression on Rob Dickson. He recalled how the post-war era had transformed Yarraville into a vibrant and culturally diverse neighbourhood, resembling a European enclave.

James Zhou, a Weaving Technician, recalled a poignant moment from the early 1990s when tensions were high due to the Yugoslav wars. At Bradmill, employees from nations affected by the conflict — Bosnians, Serbians, Croatians, Macedonians — found solace and solidarity within the factory’s walls. Instead of division, they forged even stronger friendships.

“The first major group of migrant workers came from Italy, then came the Greeks and in the 1970s it was the Yugoslavs,” says Rob. “They dug up their front gardens and grew all sorts of vegetables. People came here with farming backgrounds and created what they had had at home. Women would take big bags into the paddocks and collect wild weeds to take home and cook.”

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The fabric of Australian life

Pride in quality

For decades, Bradmill was known for its commitment to producing top-tier denim products. This commitment was deeply ingrained in every aspect of its operations, from cutting-edge textile techniques and technology as well as rigorous testing of its products.

This commitment to quality paid off with Bradmill becoming a primary supplier for Levi Strauss and other renowned brands like Wrangler, Ralph Lauren, Moschino, and Calvin Klein.

The heart of Bradmill’s quality control was its Testing Laboratory. Each team member had a specific focus, whether it was colourfastness, shrinkage, or tensile strength. Michael Chong provided a glimpse into the meticulous testing conducted on the fabric. “ The science behind textiles is far more intricate than what people think, and the number of things textiles do is incredible,” he explains “All the work was done in a controlled environment and…they would run the test more than once. That’s why their quality control was so good. I worked for several textile companies over the years, and none have done as much quality testing as Bradmill.”

From clothing and household goods to industrial applications and even defence force equipment, Bradmill’s products were integral to the fabric of Australian society. The company proudly boasted its homegrown roots, showcasing its role as a major contributor to the nation’s economy and identity.

Australia’s rich mineral wealth found an ally in Bradmill.

The company’s conveyor belting played a crucial role in extracting millions of tons of minerals and ores from mines and quarries. When it came to road safety, Bradmill nylon tire cord went into 750,000 Australian-made tires annually.

The Australian Defence Force and law enforcement agencies turned to Bradmill for high-strength Kevlar textiles for personal protection. Bradmill cotton clothed school kids and tradies via the King Gee brand. The company even played a role dressing our Melbourne Olympians in their fleecy-cotton fabric tracksuits in 1956.

But it was Bradmill’s reputation in the fashion world that saw its name soar in the 1980s. Renowned fashion brands like Levi Strauss, Blues Union, Sterling, Westco, Marks and Spencer, and Wrangler used Bradmill denim. The company’s influence reached international shores, with exports to four continents. Italy became the brand’s most successful export market, with Bradmill stretch denim used by iconic fashion brands like Max Mara, Moschino, and Versace.

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Celebrations and social life

Beyond the hum of machinery and the clatter of looms, Bradmill was a place where people came together to celebrate life’s small moments and big milestones.

Whether it was sharing meals in the canteen or attending each other’s weddings, rituals of togetherness strengthened the bonds of the Bradmill community.

The annual Christmas breakup parties were highly anticipated events, often starting early in the morning and continuing until the afternoon. These gatherings brought together people from different departments, fostering a sense of celebration and unity.

The festivities were an opportunity for employees from diverse cultural backgrounds to share their traditions and dishes. The lamb on a spit, cheeses, salads, and unique delicacies created a mosaic of flavours, reflecting the multicultural makeup of Bradmill.

Colleagues exchanged gifts, and Santa Claus — mostly portrayed by Bob Green — made an appearance.

The upright piano in the Bradmill canteen was used to celebrate many occasions and add a touch of enchantment to everyday life at Bradmill. Affectionately

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known as “The Piano Man,” Bob Green would often entertain by tickling the ivories. Employees would join in, singing along.

Mealtimes were opportunities for socialising and building friendships. Employees gathered in department tearooms or the expansive canteen.

“We all brought our own lunches. The food that we shared was whatever we grew in abundance in our gardens,” says Dimitra Kanellos. “If I had lots of apricots or figs, I would bring a bag and share these with my work colleagues.

Sometimes we would share our tomato crops. One lady brought in her plums. My cousin and another lady grew apples that they shared with everyone.”

Even after the closure of the factory, the spirit of Bradmill lives on through annual reunions. Bob Green plays a pivotal role organising the events, ensuring that the Bradmill family remains connected across the years.

“For the past fifteen years, once a year, we have a reunion,” says John Sutton, a Fitter and Turner. “We mix with one another and tell our stories; some people we only see once a year.”

Looking to the future

The transformation of the Bradmill Denim Factory in Yarraville into a mixed-use community by Frasers Property Australia will be a harmonious blend of the old and the new, paying homage to the factory’s past while supporting a vibrant future.

The iconic heritage buildings at Bradmill, including the boiler house, proofing plant, and dye house, will be repurposed to include a mix of community, leisure and residential uses. Other elements of Bradmill’s history may come through in street names, urban design, and public art exhibitions.

The Bradmill redevelopment has received a warm welcome from the local community. Many, like Lynne Carr see the development as a positive step for a site that’s been left derelict for so long.

“I think it’s wonderful for the area,” she says. “It’s such a vast piece of land not to be used. There are so many people that want to live closer to the city. And to get that opportunity, people will love it.”

Fiorella Fabian warmly welcomes the new residents and hopes they find the same sense of community and joy that were a hallmark of her Bradmill experience.

“We welcome the new residents of Old Bradmill now and hope that they are happy and find the same sense of community and joy in the simple things around us. We may be building lives on post-industrial foundations, but we deserve every good thing that we keep as precious, together.”

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AFFORDING THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN DREAM

Frasers Landing, WA

The iconic image of a quarter-acre block with a family-sized home and a sprawling backyard has long held sway as the pinnacle of Australian homeownership. But, as the cost of housing continues to grow, planners, policy makers, and developers are exploring ways to keep the Great Australian Dream alive and attainable.

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inger long enough at any Aussie barbecue or dinner party and the topic of conversation will eventually turn to the issue of property prices.

The question on many people’s lips, especially younger generations and first homebuyers, is whether it’s still possible to afford the Great Australian property dream?

“Housing affordability has become a significant issue in Australia,” says Cameron Leggatt, Executive General Manager of Development for Frasers Property Australia.

“It’s something that’s debated from living rooms to boardrooms and at every level of government on a daily basis. Because there are so many contributing factors, it’s become a wicked problem that’s not easy to resolve.”

While the issue of housing affordability has been bubbling away for decades, the unique and unanticipated conditions of the first few years of the 2020s were like pouring gasoline on a slow-burning fire. A pandemic-led property boom, supply chain shortages, and record wet weather followed by post-pandemic surge in population growth and migration has pushed both the demand and supply side of the property cycle to breaking point.

“Supply has been a huge problem,” concedes Cameron.

“Opening up new pockets of development takes time.

There are acquisition, planning, regulatory approvals, and construction timetables to navigate, and that assumes you have the people and resources needed to see you through each stage. We know from conversations that we’re having with various local councils around the country that they’re struggling with a backlog of approvals.”

On the demand side, Australians remain infatuated with the Great Australian Dream.

“Australians are property obsessed,” says Cameron.

“If people aren’t in the market, they feel nervous and anxious about it. Talking about property is almost our national pastime.

“At its core, the dream is about owning your piece of Australia. It’s knowing that you’ve got a sense of security, that you’ve made it. That you can provide for your family, that you’re on that ladder of opportunity that owning a home affords you.”

Burwood Brickworks, VIC

Burwood Brickworks, VIC

Eastern Creek Quarter, NSW

A Ladder of Options: Rethinking Property Ownership

Australia’s infatuation with the quintessential family home took root during an era of rapid suburban development and abundant land availability. Some eighty years later, contemporary market dynamics presents a very different picture.

While the quarter-acre block can still be found in outer fringe developments and regional centres, there’s a good deal more diversity to be found in the property market these days. Apartments and townhomes have become increasingly popular, particularly in inner and middle ring suburbs, as a means of providing housing opportunity at more affordable price points.

While land prices and availability have driven some of that change, evolving demographics are also reshaping traditional notions of the Great Aussie Dream.

“The single storey 3- or 4- bedroom house on a big block no longer fits the bill for everyone,” says Matthew Allen, Director at architectural firm, Bates Smart. “Different household compositions—from single people and couples without kids, to multigenerational families and downsizers—want homes tailored to their specific needs, not this one-size-fits-all mentality. “ When you think about it, the idea of one standalone house on a quarter acre block satisfying the needs of the whole society…it’s an absurd notion.”

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As societal dynamics evolve, the concept of a lifelong “golden property” is making room for a “ladder of options”, says Angus Moore, an economist at realestate. com.au. He notes that pragmatic property buyers are now looking at housing as a five-year plan, gradually progressing to larger or better-located properties as their means and needs evolve.

“For young Australians who are faced with inevitable affordability pressures, the idea of buying your castle as your first home is increasingly difficult,” Angus says.

“Being adaptable and buying more of a starter home, then working your way up to your dream home is generally more achievable. “ That might mean instead of looking to buy a house you can live in for the next 10 years, an apartment that will see you through the next 5 years so could be more easily within reach.”

Cameron Leggatt points to the success of Frasers Property communities like Ed.Square and Midtown MacPark in Sydney, Burwood Brickworks and Mambourin in Melbourne, as well as Brookhaven in Brisbane’s southwest and Frasers Landing in Mandurah, Western Australia, as evidence that diversity of property choice combined with high quality amenity opens up opportunities for homebuyers.

Artist’s impression, indicative only

“ From the minute we look at a site, we’re assessing how we can add value to it,” says Cameron. “We’re always looking at how we can get as much variety into the product typology as we can, to get as many first homebuyers into the community as possible.

Frasers Landing, WA

“People are really craving beautiful, convenient, and useable amenity, as well as great infrastructure, like shopping, schools, and transport. When you get it right, that’s when people feel they can make those key tradeoffs to get into their first home. They’re more willing to sacrifice a bit in terms of land size or number of bedrooms or car parking because they know that they’re going to be able to step out of their front door and get to things quickly. They’ve got everything that they would like to do on the weekends right there.”

The Great Australian Dream looks set to remain a Great Australian Aspiration, deeply ingrained in the national psyche. But it will look markedly different than it has in the past. A more diverse property landscape offering various entry points and affordable options that reflect the multifaceted nature of modern Australian society will continue to take shape.

Mambourin, VIC

As Cameron points out: “The Great Australian Dream isn’t dead, it’s just different.”

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Central Park Sydney, NSW

FROM DRAB TO FAB: THE REVOLUTION IN APARTMENT LIVING From cramped and dimly lit flats to luxurious highrises boasting an enviable array of lifestyle facilities, the journey of apartment living has been nothing short of a revolution.

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one are the days when apartments were viewed as a compromise, with pokey dimensions and a narrow range of options that often fell short of meeting buyers’ expectations.

According to Nicola Tandy, National Sales Director at REA Group, the tides have turned, ushering in a new era of apartment living that emphasise light, lifestyle amenity, and community connection. She notes, “There’s a lot of exciting things happening in this space that weren’t happening even just a few years ago.”

For a long time, Australian apartments—including the boom of walk-up flats built during the middle part of the twentieth century— lacked variety, with amenities limited to a car park and communal laundry. Matthew Allen, Director of architectural firm Bates Smart, explains that apartments were frequently positioned as investorfriendly options for affordable rental, resulting in smaller units with limited natural light and space.

“The apartment started its life catering to a very small segment of the population, mainly one and two-bedroom apartments in inner-urban locations that were all about affordability,” he says.

The dynamics of apartment living underwent a significant transformation when owner-occupiers emerged as a key demographic, seeking a living experience comparable to standalone homes. This shift led developers to redefine their designs to cater to evolving demands.

Diversity in configurations emerged as a defining feature of the contemporary apartment landscape. While compact studios and one-bedroom apartments are still popular, a plethora of choices now cater to different family sizes and preferences. Matthew Allen underscores this development, saying, “I think over the last couple of decades, we’ve really seen a huge breadth in the number of options out there, up to very spacious multi-room family dwellings.”

Artist’s impression, indicative only

Artist’s impression, indicative only

Elevating the Urban Experience

The renaissance of apartment living goes well beyond size and number of bedrooms. Today, many new apartment buildings feature lifestyle facilities that could rival those of a high-end resort.

There’s also a growing emphasis on resident wellbeing, convenience, and enjoyment. From communal gardens and fitness centres to rooftop pools and co-working spaces, these facilities transform apartments into selfsufficient ecosystems that cater to residents’ physical, social, and recreational needs.

Cameron Jackson, General Manager of Development NSW at Frasers Property Australia, notes that a combination of demand-driven consumer preference, hot competition in the property market, and technological advancements in construction methodologies have allowed new ideas for apartment living to take root.

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“If you take a look at the way buildings are being designed today, they’re much more in tune with what residents want to feel and do inside these spaces,” says Cameron.

“From the vertical gardens that cool and beautify One Central Park in Sydney to the series of ‘outdoor’ rooms that punctuate the facade of our Treehouse building at Midtown MacPark, we’re looking for ways to enhance the lifestyle experience of apartment living.”

The appeal of apartment living is as diverse as the people who choose it. Over the years, different target markets have emerged, each finding distinct value in the benefits of apartment living. Young professionals seeking urban excitement and connectivity are drawn to the convenience and proximity offered by apartments.

Empty nesters, on the other hand, appreciate the lowmaintenance lifestyle and the opportunity to downsize without compromising on quality.

Artist’s impression, indicative only

Community Building

Perhaps one of the most profound shifts in apartment living is the cultivation of a sense of community within developments. The days of anonymous neighbours are fading, replaced by a vibrant social fabric that connects residents. Architectural and design solutions are geared toward fostering interactions, with communal spaces, social events, and shared experiences at the forefront.

The evolution of apartment living in Australian cities is far from complete. According to Matthew Allen, innovations on the horizon will transform apartments into hubs of convenience and luxury, verging on the level of hotels in terms of service. Concierge-style living is becoming the norm, offering residents access to services such as dry cleaning, grocery concierge, and private facilities within the building, such as cinemas and pools, often through a dedicated resident app.

Artist’s impression, indicative only

Changing demographic forces combined with a greater emphasis on lifestyle facilities, liveability, and a sense of community has radically redefined the concept of home in our bustling cities. As architects, developers, and urban planners continue to push the boundaries of innovation, the future of apartment living shines brighter than ever, promising a harmonious blend of style, comfort, and camaraderie.

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Brookhaven, QLD

THE FACTS OF LIFESTYLE In the evolving landscape of the Australian housing market, where property purchase decisions are driven by an intricate interplay of factors, one element has emerged as a dominant force: lifestyle.

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ecent decades have seen a profound shift in homebuyer preferences, reshaping the way homes are designed, communities are planned, and investments are made. But it was the seismic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic that catapulted lifestyle considerations to the forefront, forever altering the way we view real estate.

According to Eleanor Creagh, a senior economist at realestate.com.au, “Lifestyle has become a more important priority than ever,” driving an ongoing

reassessment of housing desires and needs. It’s a sentiment that underscores a fundamental truth of today’s property market — choosing a home is about much more than the question of shelter; it’s about crafting a life that nourishes personal aspirations, values, and wellbeing.

Lifestyle encompasses an array of elements — from the style and location of home to daily routines, work-life balance, health and wellness pursuits, travel preferences, and social interactions.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove, NSW

Seachange and Treechange

Emily Wood, General Manager Brand and Customer at Frasers Property Australia, says the dominance of lifestyle factors in property decisions has been a long-term trend rapidly accelerated by changes wrought by the pandemic. “ We’ve never had more change than in the first years of this decade, in terms of how and where people are choosing to live their lives,” Emily says.

“For many, moving to a far more flexible relationship with the office has meant a re-evaluation of the commute.

If you can work from home more often than not, then where your home is, versus where your office is, becomes more important.”

Emily points to the dramatic growth in two of Frasers Property’s lifestyle communities, on opposite sides of the country: The Waterfront, Shell Cove on the NSW Illawarra South Coast and Port Coogee near Fremantle in Western Australia.

“We’ve seen a huge influx of Sydneysiders moving to Shell Cove in recent years, attracted by the more relaxed pace of life paired with the great dining, shopping, and amenity of The Waterfront,” says Emily.

“And at Port Coogee, there’s a very alluring and quintessentially Australian coastal community vibe that continues to attract new residents, daytrippers, and holidaymakers.”

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Port Coogee, WA

The pandemic, as Susan Stancombe, CEO of Stancombe Research and Planning, points out, triggered a period of introspection, prompting individuals to question their life’s trajectory and make intentional lifestyle choices. “ One of the benefits of the pandemic era was that it gave people an opportunity for reflection,” says Susan.

“People thought deeply, and continue to think deeply, about how they want to live their lives. That has manifested in terms of lifestyle choices, with making changes and exercising choices in ways they might not have done before.”

This wave of introspection led to an interesting trend: a growing affinity for outer suburban and regional properties. The allure of more space, better value, and a retreat from densely populated urban centres gained momentum.

More than a Home

The changing landscape of work and education also contributed to moulding lifestyle priorities. As homes transformed into multifunctional spaces accommodating work, learning, and leisure, the need for adaptable and flexible living environments became more important.

Port Coogee, WA

“Our homes are performing so many more functions now,” says Emily. “They need to be offices, classrooms, and gymnasiums as well as the place we cook, eat, sleep, and spend time together. So, adaptability in home design has become very desirable and important. We want flexible spaces in our home that can really grow with us and flex with our lifestyle.”

Of course, the pursuit of the ideal lifestyle transcends the boundaries of the property itself. Emily underscores the rising significance of shared community interests and a genuine sense of belonging. At Frasers Property, the value of belonging drives every decision the company makes, particularly when it comes to walkable neighbourhoods, high quality public open spaces and access to local schools, shops, medical facilities, and transport.

Brookhaven, QLD

Over and above the emphasis on people-centric urban design, Frasers Property invests in community development initiatives in every one of their neighbourhoods. Dedicated Frasers Property Community Development Managers design and deliver programs that bring new neighbours together to create mutually supportive friendships and longlasting bonds.

“Lifestyle doesn’t have to mean a view of the ocean or feeling like you’re on holiday every day,” says Emily. “A lot of the time, feeling like you’re in the ‘right place’ comes down to having a good relationship with your neighbours, your kids playing together at the park after school, or the local barista knowing your coffee order when you walk in.

It can be as simple and important as that.”

Brookhaven, QLD

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THE SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY

Care & Rewards member Torie Marquez and family, Brookhaven, QLD

With more than 13,000 members, Frasers Property’s Care & Rewards program isn’t just a rewarding way to upgrade into a new home or buy an investment property, it’s a great opportunity to provide a leg up to friends and family too.

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oyalty programs have become a staple in the Australian marketplace, ranging from frequent flyer points to coffee punch cards. According to recent data, 90% of Australian consumers are enrolled in at least one loyalty program. The draw?

A unique blend of value, exclusivity, and customer experience that encourages brand affiliation and positive word of mouth.

The Frasers Property Care & Rewards program is a loyalty program with a difference. Specifically crafted to the dreams and aspirations of property buyers and refined through feedback from its vast community of over 13,000

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members, this program offers more than just rewards— it promises outstanding customer care steeped in the spirit of generosity.

Every aspect of the Frasers Property buying process, from accessing necessary documents online to getting timely construction updates, is streamlined via the myFrasersProperty app for 24/7 customer convenience.

Enabling customers to stay updated throughout the property journey anytime and anywhere, the app features a handy ‘Property Tracker’ that provides progress updates, from start of construction to settlement and move-in day.

For that ‘white glove’ human touch, Frasers Property’s dedicated Care Team are available 7 days a week to answer customer questions and solve any issues. They’re empowered to act quickly and effectively, with a clear foundational principle: make every customer feel valued, listen to, understood, and most importantly, cared for. “ We absolutely understand that purchasing property, especially one still under construction, can bring its own set of anxieties and challenges,” says Cameron Leggatt, Frasers Property Executive General Manager of Development.

“It’s not always a straightforward journey. There can be weather delays, supply issues, lags in council approvals… that’s why we’re dedicated to keeping customers informed and in-the-know. We find that people are pretty understanding so long as they know what’s going on. And of course, that commitment means delivering what we say we will, and if there are any issues, we fix them.”

“I grew up on acreage, so it was always something I wanted,” says Torie. “There’s space for the kids, the dog, a pool, and a big shed. The rewards program definitely helped us toward realising that dream.”

For Hamilton Reach resident and Frasers Property Care & Rewards member, Sheila Wyldbore, the program has offered multiple opportunities to benefit. Sheila and her husband Ron have used their purchase incentive to secure their second home at Hamilton Reach, after they fell in love with the house a few doors up from where they first purchased. They’ve also used the referral bonus to secure an apartment for their daughter, also a Hamilton Reach resident. Finally, their Fraser World membership has come in handy for hotel stays in Perth and Sydney.

“The benefits of the program have flowed in so many ways,” says Sheila. “It was a tremendous help in getting our daughter into her first home and gave us the inside track on our dream home here at Hamilton Reach.”

One of the standout features of the program is the ability to share the joy. The always-on option to ‘gift’ purchase rewards to immediate family members underscores Frasers Property’s commitment to kindness, generosity, and community-building. Friends can also get in on the action when the popular Gift2Get2 campaigns are run.

Danielle Grimsey bought land and built her first home at Brookhaven, halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, around four years ago. Since then, she has referred three of her friends to the neighbourhood, using her member benefits to help them with a 2% purchase price incentive.

Building bonds of loyalty

Frasers Property Care & Rewards benefits range from early access to property releases, referral bonuses, partner benefits, and invitations to special events. Brookhaven resident and Care & Rewards member, Torie Marquez, used her membership to secure the site of her dream home.

Having bought land at Brookhaven around six years ago to establish their family home, Torie and husband Kevin had plans to upgrade to a larger lot when the time was right. Staying within the neighbourhood they’d grown to love they used their Care & Rewards priority notification and 2% purchase reward to scale up to a generouslyproportioned 1500m2 block before the general release.

“ When my friend Tara was looking to buy her first home she asked me about Brookhaven,” says Danielle. “I told her it’s a great community and I absolutely love living here. I was happy to share my referral benefit with her because as a first home buyer, every little boost you can get helps. A year later, we’re not just friends, we’re neighbours.

“I also referred one of my best friends from when we were growing up. He now lives two streets away. People say you can’t choose your neighbours. But look at me, I did!”

From personalised care to shared rewards and investment opportunities, Frasers Property Care & Rewards is setting a new gold standard in the world of loyalty programs. To learn more, head to careandrewards.com.au.

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LONDON. THE CULTURE CAPITAL

It’s the city that’s given us cultural icons as varied as Charles Dickens, The Rolling Stones, Lucien Freud, Vivienne Westwood, and James Bond. So, it’s little wonder that London is widely considered the cultural capital of the world. The streets are brimming with museums and galleries, catering to almost any niche. Science, transport, design, cartoons, Churchill, Jack the Ripper…whatever you’re into, there’s a museum for you in London. The team at Frasers Hospitality in London share their favourites...

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Millennium Bridge

Natural History Museum

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et in the heart of Trafalgar Square, the National Gallery houses more than 2,000 works from da Vinci, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Picasso, Matisse and more.

Entry is free but booking is recommended.

When you have finished admiring the European masters, stroll down to Gordon’s Wine Bar, where you can enjoy a glass from their extensive wine list in a cavernous, candlelit setting. The wine bar, established in 1890, is believed to be the oldest in London and is still run by the Gordon family today.

Sir John Soane’s Museum is the former home of the neoclassical architect that he transformed into a museum while he was still alive. It is packed to the rafters with artworks and interesting artifacts collected by Soane throughout his life. Unsurprisingly, the architecture is just as fascinating as the collection.

Of course, it wouldn’t be an article about museums in London, without mentioning the biggest of them all: the British Museum. Housing one of the largest collections in the world, you’re going to need some time, and ideally some forward planning. Big hitters include the Rosetta Stone, The Holy Thorn Reliquary, and the most famous chess set in the world.

Located in London’s iconic Somerset House, The Courtauld Gallery houses a vast collection of Impressionist and PostImpressionist works from Manet, van Gogh, Cézanne, Gaugin, Monet, Renoir and more.

If modern art is more your vibe, then the Tate Modern is a must. Adorning the walls of the impressive riverside gallery are works from Warhol, Dali, Hockney, Rothko, and more.

While there, explore the grounds of Somerset House and if you’re feeling fancy, book into Spring Restaurant. Led by acclaimed chef (and Aussie expat), Skye Gyngell, Spring serves seasonal and sustainable Italian-influenced food in a restored 19th century drawing room within Somerset House.

Head to the Victoria & Albert Museum for an enormous, yet beautifully curated selection of art, design, fashion and textiles. You’ll be marvelling at the imposing, yet decorative, style of the building just as much as the collection it houses.

GETTING AROUND London’s extensive public transport system will get you anywhere you need to go, and all you need is a contactless credit card or ApplePay to touch on and off. The tube will get you around faster but a seat on the top deck of an iconic doubledecker bus is a pretty cool way to see the city.

Fraser Place Canary Wharf

Stop by the world-famous Harrods on the way home and check out their epic food hall, which they describe as “the world’s greatest food emporium”.

Right next door to the V&A is the Natural History Museum, where you can glimpse their 80 million+ plant, animal, fossil, rock and mineral specimens. Kids will love it here too. Visit the dinosaur gallery, check out the colossal whale suspended Cap off the day from the ceiling, and learn all about with a meal at Bombayvolcanoes and earthquakes. inspired hotspot Dishoom, For a fascinating look into the history of London, including the River Thames and London’s ports, visit the Museum of London Docklands, which is just a short walk from Fraser Place Canary Wharf.

British Museum

which has recently opened an outpost in Canary Wharf. Or if eating some of the best British steak and sustainable seafood in a floating pavilion is more your style, head down to Hawksmoor Wood Wharf.

STAY

Escape the city buzz in your own serviced apartment at Fraser Place Canary Wharf.

Apartments feature stunning views of the River Thames, well-equipped kitchen, gym, 24/7 security and parking. Perfect for long or short stays in London.

Members of Frasers Property Care & Rewards receive one-year Sapphire membership for stays at Frasers Hospitality properties around the world, including Fraser Place Canary Wharf.

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Mambourin, VIC

YEARS OF LIVING PROUD It’s in the wave from a neighbour and the togetherness of friends. The laughter of children at play. Small moments that become the measure of a life well lived and feeling proud.

Of your home, your community, and of all that you’ve created.

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THE YOUNG ACHIEVERS Four young go-getters from Frasers Property neighbourhoods have emerged as shining examples of youthful ambition, resilience, and dedication.

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Bentley Fielding

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ailing from Frasers Property Australia communities across the country, four remarkable young individuals—Bentley Fielding, Elyse Ainsworth, Flynn Ireland, and Jayden Wallace—are rising stars and youthful go-getters making their mark on their communities and the world.

Bentley Fielding: Brookhaven’s youngest entrepreneur At just 11 years old, Bentley Fielding, a resident of Brookhaven, has embarked on an entrepreneurial journey that would be the envy of many seasoned founders. Inspired by the worm farms at his school, Bentley started selling bottles of nutrient-rich “worm wee” to his local community, calling his fledgling business ‘Benny’s Worm Wee’.

With his first worm farm acquired around 18 months ago, Bentley began selling the worm wee for $1 a litre.

The demand was so high that he sold over 80 bottles in the first two weeks, prompting him to reinvest his profits into buying more worm farms. Bentley now cares for over 2,000 worms, with plans to double that number in the next 12 months or so.

Caring for his worms is no small task, with Bentley enlisting his sister’s help on weekends. He checks on his worms morning and night, feeding them up to 4kg of food scraps every week, which he collects with help from Coles and Woolworths. Bentley uses recycled milk bottles collected from the community to bottle the worm wee, providing refills for his regular customers.

“I’ve got some pretty feisty worms,” says Bentley. “I like taking care of them and I like getting dirty, so it’s fun.”

Bentley’s regular customers come from the Brookhaven community and further afield. He sets up a stall on his driveway each Saturday and people drop by to pick up a bottle or two of the super-rich liquid fertiliser.

“I’ve met lots of nice people from Brookhaven,” Bentley says. “I like Greg, who has model cars. And the lady down the road uses the worm wee for her passionfruits.”

Frasers Property Australia has recognised Bentley’s entrepreneurial spirit and is partnering with him to ensure the new Brookhaven community garden thrives.

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“I go for an ice skate with him occasionally, but I can’t keep up with him anymore to be honest,” Stuart says.

With its excellent infrastructure, amenities, and open spaces, Burwood Brickworks has proven to be an ideal home for Flynn’s family. His 14-year-old sister Indiana walks to her nearby high school, while Stuart and Neesha, his parents, have found a comfortable space for their hybrid working arrangements in the healthcare sector.

The community’s shopping centre and Village Green park have become cherished features of their lives, fostering a sense of belonging and friendship with their neighbours.

Flynn Ireland

“We definitely feel we’re part of a community here,” says Stuart.

Flynn Ireland: Rollerblading his way to hockey stardom at Burwood Brickworks In the heart of Frasers Property Australia’s Burwood Brickworks community, young Flynn Ireland is carving it up in the world of ice hockey. Introduced to the sport in 2018, Flynn quickly fell in love with it and was soon selected to represent Victoria in the Australian National Ice Hockey Championships (13U category) in both 2022 and 2023.

According to Stuart Ireland, Flynn’s father, his son’s remarkable progress can be attributed in part to the safe environment at Burwood Brickworks. The pedestrianfriendly streets and green spaces have allowed him to practice safely on rollerblades, honing his skills whenever he pleases. “ Part of the reason he’s been able to get to where he has is because of the new development and the fact he’s been able to safely rollerblade here wherever he wants,” Stuart says. “He rollerblades through the community every second day.”

Frasers Property Australia’s sponsorship of Flynn for the past two years has been instrumental in his journey, providing support for traveling, training, and equipment expenses. Flynn even combines his passion with community engagement by delivering Frasers Property information to residents’ mailboxes on his rollerblades.

All that practice has seen him quickly outstrip his parents in terms of his ice hockey abilities.

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Elyse Ainsworth

Elyse Ainsworth: Sailing towards the Olympics from Port Coogee Live proud magazine has been closely following the career of sailing superstar, 24-year-old Elyse Ainsworth, since first profiling her in 2019. These days she’s training for the 2024 Paris Olympics while balancing work, study, and a gruelling travel schedule.

Competing internationally in solo sailing means spending up to 228 days a year away from home, participating in regattas across the globe. Her journeys have taken her to France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and the USA.

“ One of the reasons I love sailing is that it’s not only physically and mentally challenging, but it teaches persistence, patience, and problem solving,” says Elyse. “It also creates great friendships and memories along the way, because no journey like this can be a solo endeavour.”

When she’s not out on the water at her home in Port Coogee, Elyse is giving back to the sport she loves by coaching others at the Royal Freshwater Bay Sailing Club and Fremantle Sailing Club.

Her ultimate goal is to compete for gold at this year’s Games. Part of a close-knit squad all chasing the opportunity to represent their country, Elyse acknowledges the intense competition within, saying, “It’s a weird thing to go up against your squadmates at trials. But that’s the nature of competition. We all support each other and cheer each other on.”

Frasers Property Australia has been a consistent supporter of Elyse’s journey since 2014 when her family made Port Coogee their home. Tod O’Dwyer, Frasers Property Australia’s General Manager of Development WA, expresses the company’s pride in supporting local talent like Elyse: “She’s a hometown hero for sure.”

Jayden Wallace: Breaking barriers with community support in Brookhaven Twelve-year-old Jayden Wallace, a resident of Brookhaven, exemplifies the power of determination and community support. Despite living with autism spectrum disorder, which can create difficulties in communicating with others, Jayden helped smash his school’s fundraising target and was awarded the Highest Fundraiser Award, all thanks to the Brookhaven community.

Every year, Jayden’s school organises a Fun Run to raise funds for specific projects. In 2023, the goal was to raise $20,000 for a new water tap purifier. Jayden, motivated by his desire to help others, initially set a personal fundraising goal of $750. However, he quickly surpassed it, ultimately raising an impressive $3,336.

Jayden Wallace

“I had to work very hard,” says Jayden. “I door knocked in Brookhaven after school, for an hour and a half, four days a week for five weeks.

“It’s hard to ask for a donation, but mum helped me to be prepared. I wore my school uniform and my house captain badge, brought my fundraising book with me to show them my goal and memorised my speech. It can be difficult to speak to people I don’t know, but I did it.”

His mother also shared his fundraising page in the Brookhaven Residents Group, allowing those who weren’t home during his visits to donate online. “ I started out knocking on stranger’s doors, but now I know so many people and have learned how kind and caring my community is,” says Jayden. “I even had a resident who works with special needs kids donate $100.”

Reflecting on his achievement, Jayden said, “I’m very proud of myself and the way I overcame my autism.” His advice to others who might be thinking about taking on a tough challenge? “ Put yourself out there and keep going. It can be hard, but don’t give up. Keep going. That’s what I learned.”

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2023

COMMUNITY MILESTONES

NSW Midtown MacPark Ed.Square – Winterfest

Midtown welcomed future residents and investors at the MAC Residences Information Day. An eager crowd was excited to find out more about moving into their new homes and neighbourhood.

Ed.Square

The second annual Winterfest was held at Ed.Square Town Centre in July, with a month of fun activities including silent disco, neon putt-putt, glow disco, roaming performers, balloon twisting, face painting and a tea party with Frosty the Snowman.

Shell Cove – Seniors by the Sea

Fairwater

Our Fairwater neighbourhood in western Sydney recently formed the Fairwater Community Association (FCA). The 12-member committee will oversee issues important to the closeknit community including internal and external communications, fundraising, and community activities and events.

The Waterfront, Shell Cove

Hand painted murals and a seaside Sculpture Walk kicked off PromenART 2023, a celebration of art and creativity throughout October. Seniors by the Sea also launched, aiming to provide opportunities for aged care and senior residents to re-connect with the wider community following extensive periods of isolation due to Covid-19.

QLD Brunswick & Co.

Brookhaven –Oktoberfest

Construction officially commenced at Brunswick & Co this year when the basement level was reached following 12 months of excavation and the removal of over 75,000 tonnes of earth to reach 20 metres below ground.

The Quarry

The Quarry’s official launch was marked with a week’s worth of celebrations, including a morning tea for the neighbouring retirement village, Builder Breakfast, Community Open Day, and even a visit from Channel 9 News.

Brookhaven

Fig Tree Park at Brookhaven played host to the community’s annual Oktoberfest event, with more than 400 locals donning dirndl and lederhosen to get into the spirit. The beer hall was brought to life with live music, a German beer and wine bar, roving entertainment, and face painting.

Hamilton Reach – Paint & Sip

Hamilton Reach

Residents took part in a Paint & Sip event in collaboration with Cork & Chroma at the Hamilton Reach Sales & Display Centre. It was a great opportunity for residents to meet and connect with others from their community whilst having some fun and getting creative.

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VIC Berwick Waters

Over 500 runners undertook the Berwick Half Marathon, proudly sponsored by Frasers Property.

More than 60% of the runners were residents of our Berwick Waters community, with dozens of supporters coming out to cheer on their neighbours!

Bradmill Yarraville Berwick Waters – Berwick Half Marathon

The Bradmill team launched Perspectives of the Inner West earlier this year – a public photography competition aimed at capturing the personality and distinctive attributes of west Melbourne. Winning photographs were displayed at Grazeland Melbourne.

Burwood Brickworks

Over 200 Burwood Brickworks residents of came together for a hightea inspired event featuring tea leaf readers, roving entertainers, live band, and a dessert art piece by Jess Lemon of Masterchef Australia fame!

Burwood Brickworks – New residents morning tea

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Communities we’re creating NSW Botanica Eastern Creek Quarter Ed.Square Fairwater Midtown MacPark The Waterfront, Shell Cove VIC Berwick Waters Burwood Brickworks Encompass Carlton Five Farms The Grove Mambourin

Port Coogee – Supper at Sunset

Parkside Parkville Frasers Landing – Community mural

Wallara Waters Bradmill Yarraville (coming soon)

WA Port Coogee

The Port Coogee community enjoyed delicious local cuisine alongside stunning ocean views and a beautiful sunset at Supper at Sunset earlier this year. It was a great way for the community to come together and take in the best of their local area.

Baldivis

Town Teams work collaboratively to identify opportunities for enhancements and beautification to their neighbourhoods, with more than 100 teams across WA. Baldivis Parks and Baldivis Grove will both benefit from the recently launched Town Team in the Baldivis area.

Frasers Landing

The Frasers Landing Art Group were delighted to see their group mural installed at the Community Centre.

Everyone in the group contributed to the stunning artwork with their own depiction of the local flora.

Queens Riverside

Commencing in 2015 as part of the ‘Riverside East Perth’ urban redevelopment precinct, Queens Riverside’s last remaining residential apartment was sold earlier this year.

Three residential apartment towers with over 500 apartments formed the Queens Riverside complex.

QLD Brookhaven Hamilton Reach Brunswick & Co Minnippi Quarter The Quarry New Beith (coming soon) WA Baldivis Grove Baldivis Parks Frasers Landing Port Coogee Queens Riverside

100 years young Our DNA contains the genes of Australia’s most prolific placemakers, from T.M Burke in the 1920s to Hooker Corp and Australand. Today, we’re called Frasers Property Australia.

Living means working, shopping, and dining out too Many of our neighbourhood are mixed-use, meaning they also contain retail and commercial facilities, which we often develop and manage.

We exist to create belonging We invest in community development and employ dedicated community managers to help create strong and social neighbourhood connections.

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145,000 homebuyers and counting Since 1924, we’ve developed properties for more than 145,000 Australian families.

And we’re just getting started.

Something for everyone Our neighbourhoods come in all shapes and sizes: land developments, inner-city urban renewals, coastal communities, apartments and build-to-rent properties.

A century of care and a lifetime of rewards Our Care team are with you all the way, from contract signing to well after you move in. And with the industry's most generous rewards, you can reach your property goals sooner.

Developing Australia Smartly sustainable By reducing carbon, responsibly sourcing materials, nurturing biodiversity, and supplying green energy, we’re contributing to a better, cleaner future.

Com mun ity Garden

We’re a national business with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth.

Our award-winning communities stretch up and down the eastern seaboard and across to Western Australia too.

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“

A century of history has shaped our commitment to the future of Australian life: stronger, smarter, happier neighbourhoods where people prosper and feel they belong. When the next 100 years of our story is written, the proud communities in which Frasers Property Australia played some small part, will be our greatest legacy.

”

Anthony Boyd Chief Executive Officer Frasers Property Australia

Find out more frasersproperty.com.au Frasers Property Australia

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