According to Ken Hudson, Woombye is the best place to live on the Sunshine Coast. For the last 70 years Ken, pictured, has been a Consulting Engineer, designing and building projects throughout Queensland, the Torres Straits and Western Australia. "But Woombye has always been my spiritual home," he said.

"My Uncle and Aunt were Tom and Marg Sproul and when I was a kid, I used to stay with them at their farm on Maroochydore Road near the big roundabout on the Bruce Highway. Those were some of my happiest childhood moments. Woombye was a great place then, and the friendly country atmosphere has not changed a bit."

Now in his seventies, Ken has chosen to retire in Woombye. Over the last 8 years, Ken has designed and built the award winning over fifties complex, Southside Family Village which comprises 15 units in Gympie. “I saw there was a real trend towards downsizing, with empty nesters looking for well designed and appointed properties that were smaller and easier to maintain and that they could lock up and leave if they went traveling,” he said. “This style of dwelling is also terrific for first home buyers who want to get a foot in the property market.”

Ken purchased a small house in the middle of Woombye Village which he has upgraded into a modern disabled friendly home for his retirement. But he is about to commence construction on a separate 3 bedroom unit which is equipped to accommodate physical disabilities,  in the front of the big block.

"There is not enough properly designed accommodation in the centre of most villages, where people are not so reliant on a car,” Ken said. “From here, I can walk around the corner to excellent bus and train services and shops. I can also drive down to Brisbane in an hour on a Saturday morning to watch my grandkids' sport. I think the area will only grow in appeal to retirees and young families alike,” said Ken.