Phillip Norris and his wife Verlie recently moved from Devonport into their spacious two-bedroomed unit at Uniting AgeWell Aldersgate Retirement Village in Launceston and are thoroughly enjoying the friendly community – and of course the stunning views. 

“We’ve got a billion-dollar view” is how Verlie and Phillip Norris sum up their spectacular outlook on the Tamar River and beyond. 

Parents to a blended family of six, the couple are enjoying their new home and on this Father’s Day, can well afford to kick back and relish in their new life. 

Phil loves fishing and is a confirmed larrikin – as the good folk of Launceston are soon to find out!   “When we go shopping in furniture stores, he’ll make a beeline for the various showroom displays and then he’ll stand in the shower or lie on the bed to ‘test drive’ them,” laughs Verlie.  “I have to tell him, ‘You behave now Phil!” 

Their huge patio is their happy place.  “We’ve got a birdbath on the deck, and the other day 10 rosellas came to visit us,” says Verlie.   “I’d been doing a bit of baking, so of course I fed them a few pancakes with a drizzle of maple syrup which they just loved.” 

The pair has also installed a pizza oven on the deck and spend their evenings having a glass of wine with dinner and watching the magnificent sunsets. 

They love the camaraderie of the village.  “Everyone is so welcoming,” says retired security guard Phil, 71.  “We’ve already made so many friends.  We go to happy hour in the community centre which is great fun, and of course there was the Christmas in July lunch which was just awesome.  It was very festive and the food was amazing.” 

To all father’s, Happy Father’s Day.