By BRIDGET COOK
ONE of Cranbourne’s newest residents Valarie Rae thinks she has the best kids “in the whole bloomin’ world”.
And it would be hard to disagree after her three children and their partners bought her a new house in June to show their gratitude.
The gesture still brings the grandmother of eight to tears.
She moved into her new home Lifestyle Cranbourne, which is a residential community for over 55s.
“Now I’m going to cry. I’ve got the best family in the whole world,” Ms Rae, 76, said when asked about the gift.
Ms Rae said she knew nothing about what her sons Darren and Mark Pay and daughter Sheree McIntyre, and their spouses, were planning until after the property settlement.
The children sprung the surprise on her on Ms Rae’s daughter-in-law’s 40th birthday.
Ms Rae said her daughter picked her up for the 40th birthday party and said they had to go early to pick up balloons on the way.
“She made up a bit of a story and said the balloon man took them to a function he was doing that night at a little village,” Ms Rae said.
“I wasn’t really taking that much notice, to be honest.
“When we got there, we pulled out the front of the community hall and she told me to come and help her with the balloons.”
When Ms Rae got there, her family was waiting for her.
“I just said to them ’what are you doing here, you should be at home getting ready for the party’,” she said.
“I then started to get an inkling that they were up to something and I thought they just wanted me to look at this place.
“Then we went into the community hall and a lady told me I was the newest Lifestyle resident.
“It was just wonderful. I was shaking that much.
“I really am the luckiest person in the world.”
The three couples agreed to take out a joint loan to buy the house and took advantage of Lifestyle Communities’ land lease model.
This means they bought their mum’s house, but are leasing the land it sits on – significantly cutting overall costs.
Son Darren Pay said investing in his mother’s future was an easy decision.
“Mum’s worked hard all her life,” he said.
“She brought us up as a single mum, and we wanted to give a bit back.”
Ms Rae said she loved her new home and had fit right in.
In one seven-day stretch, Ms Rae went swimming and to the movies, played bingo, took classes in water aerobics, body balance and line dancing and attended the village’s Christmas in July dinner dance.
“I was on the dance floor all night,” she said.
Lifestyle Communities Limited managing director James Kelly said he was thrilled for Ms Rae.
“You don’t come across that kind of generosity every day, that’s for sure,” he said.
“Val’s family can now relax knowing she is enjoying life in her new home, in a great community.”
For more information about Lifestyle Communities call 1300 50 55 60 or log onto www.lifestylecommunities.com.au.
