The couple retired to Muswellbrook in 1985 but Mr Higgins “didn’t like it” and continued to work another 25 years as a security officer with TAFE.

Mr and Mrs Higgins, now 76 and 81, chose to move into Merton Living in Denman, shifting in last October, and have hung their old property sign at the door which reads “Illalangi”, Aboriginal for ‘home on the hill’.

“We’ve come back home,” Mr Higgins said.

“We’re happy here, there’s always something going on.”

“Our next address is Row F, plot 22, Rosemount Road,” quipped Mrs Higgins, referring to the local cemetery.

“It saves the kids worrying about it.”   

The couple said they had looked at a few retirement villages before choosing Merton Village.

“It appealed to us because we know a lot of people, there’s a lot of space, the gates are locked at night, it’s well lit and feels very secure,” Mrs Higgins said.

Merton Living general manager Shani Mitchell is extremely pleased the development is complete after 16 years, encompassing five stages, of building.

“Merton Living now has a total of 46 units with 20 new units on Turtle Street as well as a community hall and a men’s shed,” Ms Mitchell said.

“It’s a great asset to the town of Denman to have such a facility for older people and we’re proud to provide a place for residents to feel safe and still live independently.”

Merton Village manager Linda Crane said each unit was equipped with an emergency assistance system and the village had a community of about 70 people with five two-bedroom units still available.

“Living here simplifies life for older people,” Mrs Crane said.

“They are free to do as much or as little as they please.

“Our services complement each other and we also offer home care services to help support them to continue to live in the village.”