2003 onwards - Settling into Life in Meadow Grove

While Frank was at the football on Saturday's, Margaret spent the afternoons looking in the Balwyn and Surrey Hills areas for a place to downsize too. At the time, with Jenny and Greg and their families overseas, being near Cathy and the family was important, as well as being handy to public transport and shops.

One day, Margaret was driving with granddaughter Kellie in the car and noticed the For Sale sign at Meadow Grove, Deepdene. Margaret went in to have a look with Kellie and had a good feeling about the private townhouse with a lovely small garden. Margaret returned with Frank and they agreed it was the perfect place for them. They moved into the townhouse in November 2003 and have remained there ever since.

The neighbourhood is perfect with three very friendly and welcoming nuns living next door and a lovely family in the front townhouse. The home is walking distance to Cathy's house, the local shops and the tram.

Margaret and Frank in their kitchen before it was renovated.

Margaret and Frank arranged for Melissa's partner, Evan, a builder, to replace the kitchen in 2016.

Cathy has spent many hours helping to give the gardens a modern makeover to make them easier to manage.

Melissa, William, Natalie, Chantelle and Kellie out the front
of the beautiful magnolia tree in 2004.

Over the years, many members of the family and friends have enjoyed Margaret and Frank's hospitality and stayed in their spare room. In fact, Jenny's two daughters Melissa and Chantelle and then Jenny herself, all spent time gratefully living with Margaret and Frank for a short period while they set themselves up with new jobs in Melbourne.