Burnett Heads, a coastal town in the Bundaberg Region, has long been a favourite holiday spot for Dr Martin and Lindy D’Arcy.
It is a place where lifelong friendships have grown, caravans have gathered and good times have been treasured traditions.
Soon, it will be their home.
After years of holidaying in the charming coastal town, the couple knew they had found somewhere special. When they discovered the $323 million GemLife Lighthouse Bay, close to the places and people they already loved, the decision felt like a natural next step.
“There’s always a full tribe at the caravan park at Burnett Heads with our good friend Dr Neil,” Dr Martin said.
“He and his wife Sharon have five children. Three members of their family have already moved to the Bundaberg region, including Neil’s identical brother John, who is also a doctor.
“Dr John has been a long-standing GP in Childers, and his other son David is a GP in Bundaberg. Keeping it all in the tribe, son Luke is a firefighter who lives right next door to GemLife Lighthouse Bay!”
Currently living in Ningi near Bribie Island, Dr Martin and Lindy are preparing for a new chapter after remarkable careers in healthcare spanning more than 45 years. Dr Martin worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist, while Lindy built a career as a midwife, supporting families through some of life’s most important moments.
The couple met in the UK, where Lindy was a midwife on the special care baby unit in Wolverhampton and Martin had just arrived in England to further his medical training.
“We met over an incubator,” Dr Martin joked.
One career highlight was working at the historic St Bartholomew’s Hospital, affectionately known as Bart’s, recognised as the oldest hospital in Britain.
With a move to sunny Queensland, Dr Martin started as public specialist at Redcliffe and Caboolture Hospital. It was here that he met colleague Dr Neil, forming a close bond of friendship. After a decade in teaching and assessing training registrars, both then transitioned to private practice in Brisbane.
“He and Sharon live in Redcliffe, but also have a holiday home at Burnett Heads,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll be able to persuade him to spend even more time up north, knowing about the resort facilities at GemLife Lighthouse Bay. “
The couple first heard about GemLife through friends at Bribie Island.
“Lindy is a member at Woorim Golf Club, and a lot of the members there live at GemLife Bribie Island,” Dr Martin said.
“So, we’ve heard plenty about the quality of the homes and the lifestyle people enjoy.”
For Dr Martin, maintaining an active and connected lifestyle remains incredibly important. He manages Parkinson’s disease symptoms through physiotherapy and the PD Warrior exercise program and still enjoys regular games of table tennis through U3A in Beachmere.
“I picked up the sport at university and played in regional competitions,” he said. “I don’t move so well anymore but I still have the knack!”
Looking ahead, Dr Martin and Lindy are excited about building new friendships and continuing the hobbies they love. A future table tennis group is firmly on Dr Martin’s wish list, along with finding fellow book lovers to start a book club.
“The Moreton Bay mobile library visits once a month with books for our group,” he said.
“Then we get together the next month to return them and chat about what we thought. And if there isn’t an interesting new release, we simply pick our own topic instead.”
Travel also remains part of their plans.
“We still have our caravan,” Dr Martin said. “There are definitely more holidays planned.”