Before she passed away in 1985, Isobel ‘Molly’ Browne was constantly approached to sell farmland in Highfields, a town in Toowoomba, Queensland, on which she lived.
However, the former schoolteacher and devoted local Baptist church member was steadfast that her family property be used for a retirement village and nursing home.
Joan Bell, who has written a history of Molly Browne, described Molly as a “very godly and generous lady” who lived in a “very modest and rather primitive condition”.
She used a hand pump to water her chickens, dog and cows. Rainwater for bathing and cooking came from a tap on an outside tank, and Molly cooked over an open fire with a chimney. In spite of her hardship, Molly was concerned for other people suffering old age and loneliness.
In her will, she bequeathed her 48.6hec (120-acre) property to the Baptist Union of Queensland, to be developed into what is now the Carinity Brownesholme seniors’ community.
All that remained of the dairy farm in 1992 was the house, two sheds, bore, windmill and cattle trough. The windmill and cattle trough were later used as part of the landscaping at Carinity’s Brownesholme retirement village.
The old farmhouse, which was in near disrepair, was sold to Barry and Joan Barwick, members of Toowoomba’s Baptist community. They relocated the building – in two sections by truck – to nearby Cabarlah.
The couple spent two decades undertaking a painstaking restoration of the 145-year-old house, returning the dwelling to its near original state. Barry now lives in the Brownesholme aged care community.
The first part of Molly’s dream for a home for seniors set on her land became a reality in July 1995 when Brownesholme retirement village’s first resident, Gloria Phillips, moved into her independent living unit.
Ruth Baxter (pictured) moved from her hobby farm near Clifton to Brownesholme in 2000. She is the longest residing current member of the retirement village where “everyone is a friend”.
“I heard about this place before it was even built. I got invited to their first open day; I think there were ten units then. I was still working but I thought it would be nice to live there one day,” Ruth said.
“There were cattle across the road when I first came here. I love being here, it’s so nice and peaceful. I love the birds, the wildlife and the gardens.
“If anything goes wrong, it gets sorted out. If the plumbing goes or the hot water breaks down, it gets fixed. You don’t have that worry. I’m very lucky.”
Fellow resident Ian Grey (pictured with Merilyn Playsted) also enjoys the serenity of the peaceful village which has witnessed a burgeoning suburb grow up around it.
“I have seen enormous growth in Highfields, and I’m still amazed at how it’s booming now,” Ian said.
“It’s ideally situated, this village, and I wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. What I enjoy most is the friendship and the companionship of all the people here, and the kindness they show to me.”
Molly Browne’s vision for seniors’ care catering to all ages was fully realised in 2021, when the Brownesholme residential aged care home was opened near the retirement village.
Brownesholme retirees have peace of mind knowing they can access higher care near their current home if they require it.
It has enabled Joyce Larkens to remain living in the same community she knows and loves – and stay connected to friends from the retirement village in which she used to live.
Joyce (pictured) moved to Brownesholme 25 years ago and has never wanted to leave. She found comfort knowing her retirement village is co-located with the aged care home and that additional support would be available should she need it. That moment arrived two years ago.
“I had a very bad fall in July 2023 and moved to the aged care home with a week’s notice,” Joyce said.
“I am very grateful to the lovely, kind and efficient staff. They all look after us very well. The food is very good … and the entertainment keeps us busy and happy.”
Some of Joyce’s neighbours from the retirement village have since moved from their independent living units to the aged care community – and they continue to enjoy their cherished friendships.
Molly Browne would have wanted it that way.