3 June 2026
When Tanis Dickson first walked through the front door of her villa at Noosa Waters Retirement Estate more than 20 years ago, she knew instantly she was home.
“I looked straight through to the garden and the fountain,” she recalls. “It was a lightbulb moment. I thought, ‘This is it.” That spontaneous decision has proven to be one of the best of her life.
Originally from Sydney, Tanis enjoyed a rewarding career as a mothercraft nurse, specialising in supporting families with newborn twins and multiple births during the crucial first 12 weeks of life. Her work often involved round-the-clock care, helping parents establish routines and navigate the challenges of those early months.
Although she had long dreamed of retiring in Noosa – a destination she had been visiting since she was seven years old, when Hastings Street was still a dirt road – Tanis wasn’t quite ready to leave her career behind. After purchasing her villa at age 60, she continued working until she was 71, using Noosa Waters as a peaceful retreat between assignments. Choosing retirement living at a relatively young age raised a few eyebrows among friends, but Tanis was confident in her decision.
“I didn’t want the maintenance and responsibility of another house,” she says. “I wanted security, peace of mind and a place where I could enjoy life.”
Over the years, the community has delivered exactly that. From neighbours checking on each other’s homes while they travel, to the friendships formed through social activities, Tanis says the sense of connection is what makes Noosa Waters special.
“The friendships I’ve formed would have to be my favourite thing about living here,” she says. “People stop and say hello, look out for one another and genuinely care.”
Now approaching her 80th birthday, Tanis remains deeply involved in village life, contributing to the social events team and supporting fellow residents wherever she can.
For anyone considering retirement living, her advice is simple – “Do it.”
“You can be as independent or as involved as you want. For me, moving here was the best decision because of the security, the friendships and the wonderful lifestyle. I’ve never regretted it for a moment.”
