FOSTERING NEW FRIENDSHIPS AND BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER

People are craving a sense of community, now more than ever. COVID-19 lockdowns have shown the importance of having friends living close by and we’re so fortunate, here at Everleigh, to have always had a focus on building a connected neighbourhood.

Stuart Penklis, Head of Residential at Mirvac, the developer of Everleigh, says families are looking for more than just bricks and mortar when building a new home.

“We see it as part of our job to help residents of our new communities develop those relationships by providing opportunities to meet and have fun together,” says Stuart.

“We also ensure from the moment we conceive our masterplanned projects, they connect into the existing area and become part of the community.”

Our community manager, Enriching Communities, was engaged to start fostering relationships four years ago — before Everleigh was even launched — and has established a buzzing community program offering everything from free fitness classes and after-school sport, to coffee groups, movie nights and arts and craft.

Enriching Communities founder Suzanne Guastini says the program has helped our new residents to form strong bonds.

“Everyone needs human connection and knowing your neighbours gives people a true sense of belonging,” says Suzanne.

“Many activities are offered free so everyone can take part and we see those from all walks of life – from young children right through to our older residents – get involved. It is beautiful to see the amazing friendships that have formed.

“It is not just about borrowing that cup of sugar from your neighbour anymore. We have families who met through our activities and now holiday together, while our seniors’ group go on regular day trips and others have formed their own groups, meeting for fitness or soccer in the park.

“To know we helped form those connections is really rewarding.”

An incredible example of these Everleigh connections is the rewarding friendship that has grown between next door neighbours, the Gyori and Garay families.

Less than a year ago, Christy and Istvan Gyori didn’t know a soul at Everleigh – today they are best friends with neighbours Amy and Carlos Garay, and the children from both families are having a ball growing up together.

“We do everything together; we’ve become best friends in such a short space of time,” says Christy.

“All our best friends live on our street and the children run between houses. The events Mirvac puts on at Everleigh have started so many conversations and allowed us to get to know people and now everyone shares gardening equipment or helps each other build their fences.

“The people are wonderful - so welcoming, friendly and helpful. It is a great place to raise young children.”

As well as taking part in Enriching Communities Greenbank activities, the families have created their own community social and sporting activities.

“We have monthly date nights with other couples from our street, where we get a babysitter to one house to mind the children while we all go out,” says Christy.

“Amy and I have started a community exercise group – Empowering Positive Mindset. We started working out in our driveway and as people walked past, we’d invite them to join and it just grew.

“We now meet in the park three mornings a week, with everyone welcome, and get around 8 to 10 people taking part in each session. We have about 130 people involved in our Facebook group.”

Amy says it was the entry statement to Everleigh that first drew her family to the community, sparking the move from nearby Springfield Lakes and the start of their life-changing new friendships.

“I thought when we moved here, I would wave at people and that’s it, but it has been the absolute opposite,” says Amy.

“Living here is leaps and bounds better than anywhere I’ve ever lived because of the community feel.

“Everyone is like-minded and it is such an active community, with people out walking and making use of the pathways and parks. Everyone is really friendly and makes sure other people are looked after.”

Keep up-to-date with the Everleigh community via our Facebook and Instagram, and be sure to tag @EverleighGreenbank or #EverleighGreenbank in your social posts so we can follow along on your Everleigh adventures!