News from Brentwood Village

Resident Doreen stars in new ABC TV series 'The Piano'

 21 March 2025

Doreen is all set to feature in a new ABC TV series, The Piano. The reality show uncovers everyday Australians with an extraordinary connection to the piano who play not for fame, but simply for the love of music. She never imagined she'd be part of something as exciting as The Piano. She was among 26 people from NSW who spent two days filming in Sydney, playing in busy locations around the city — for Doreen, this meant playing the piano at Paddy’s Markets. ‘The place was full! There must have been 300 people there. (...) It was an absolute buzz — I was exhausted by the end of it!"

For Doreen, music has always been more than just a hobby — it’s been a source of comfort, expression and connection. She has been playing the piano since her childhood in Dunedin. Classically trained, she played with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and her passion still lies in classical music, especially Beethoven, Hayden, Mozart and Debussy, but her musician father also encouraged her to play the popular dance songs of the day. “‘You can’t take Bach to a party,” he’d say. I used to listen to the radio at home and play along with Neil Diamond and Carol King and Nana Mouskouri.’"

At sixteen, Doreen had a fellowship to Trinity College of Music in London, but life as a concert pianist wasn’t a path she felt comfortable with. Instead, she entered the convent and devoted herself to teaching. After 35 years, Doreen left the order and came to Australia, where she decided to train as a nurse. Often she’d bring her piano accordion into the wards for some music therapy before lights out. "We’d have a singalong for half an hour. A lot of the patients were old and knew the songs that my daddy taught me. It was healing."

Life and music at Brentwood Village

Doreen has lived at Brentwood Village for 20 years now. A keen gardener, she enjoys the natural surrounds. "I love that it’s up and down hills. I live on the lake now and get a lot of enjoyment from the birds and lizards." Early on, Doreen ran a large choir and organised a series of fundraising concerts to help purchase a grand piano for the village. These days, contractions in her hands means her reach is limited but she continues to play for fun and she leads a small choir, who performs twice a year. "Just like eating, music is something we do to nourish ourselves and it gives us pleasure, too. Physically, I can’t play like I used to, but I do it anyway. And that takes courage, pressing onwards." 

Doreen firmly believes it’s never too late to start something new. "I have a student who’s 65 and just learning to play. She’s not aiming to be a concert pianist, she’s playing for herself, for her husband and for her family. That’s what matters." She sees music as a way to keep the mind sharp and the spirit fulfilled. "Our brains need challenges, whether it's learning a new language or picking up an instrument. The important thing is to try."

Even after The Piano, Doreen isn’t slowing down. She’s currently preparing for a performance at a Cancer Council fundraiser, an event that holds deep personal meaning for her. "I’ll be playing something bright and uplifting to send the audience off feeling positive." She also dreams of bringing her fellow contestants from The Piano to Brentwood Village for a special concert. "We’ve stayed in touch and some of them are doing concerts. It would be wonderful to have them perform here for the village."

Masterclass on downsizing and styling

 18 March 2024

Brentwood Village teamed up with Temple & Webster to offer residents and the wider community expert tips on decluttering, downsizing and styling their homes. The session focused on providing practical advice to help participants create functional and beautifully designed spaces with confidence. From evaluating possessions to prioritising functionality and comfort in arranging furniture, the masterclass aimed to make downsizing a reflective and manageable process.

Everyone who attended got an exclusive peek at a villa in Brentwood Village that was styled by Temple & Webster exploring different furniture setups in various rooms including the living room and bedroom. The masterclass explained how to prepare for a move, starting with the crucial aspect of thorough decluttering and rightsizing your next home before diving into the packing process. The team also offered great styling tips — like choosing a cohesive theme, using complementary colours to link old and new, balancing materials and adding contrast through textures. The session provided a wonderful opportunity for everyone to envision their home at Brentwood Village. 

Happy 40th Birthday Brentwood!

 25 September 2023

Brentwood Village recently marked its 40th anniversary. The milestone event was a delightful blend of celebrating the village’s rich past and paying homage to the people who shaped the community, including the past and present members of the resident committee, aptly called BRAG.

Brentwood’s story starts in 1982, when construction of the village officially commenced. By April 1983, the first residents had already moved in. The original cottage on the property transformed into the sales office and the first gathering place for residents. The village's original owner and builder, a Dutch visionary, had an extraordinary dream: He envisioned a picturesque lake adorned with geese and ducks and took it upon himself to plant numerous trees in and around the area. His vision eventually became reality. Today, one of Brentwood Village's most prominent features is its stunning gardens, which have earned accolades from Gosford Council multiple times, as well as the lake that forms the centrepiece of the village.

From the very beginning, Brentwood Village has had a strong creative spirit. The village's own auditorium originally featured a stage with dressing rooms and even a green room for pre-show preparations. Residents had closets full of costumes for the various shows they created and performed in. The costumes were eventually donated to local theatre costume departments, but the village hall, with its impressive size and improved acoustics, remains one of the outstanding features of the village. The perfect place for celebrating the 40 year milestone.

Community-mindedness has always been a hallmark of Brentwood Village's residents, and it was no surprise that not only the village celebrated 40 years, but so did the resident committee, BRAG. The Brentwood Residents Activity Group, or BRAG in short, has been the driving force behind fostering a sense of fellowship and friendship among residents. Over the years, BRAG has been instrumental in supporting and entertaining the residents in countless ways. "Their commitment to the village is truly something to brag about," said new committee president Lorraine in her celebratory speech.

But the committee has not just focused on bringing the resident community together. Over the years, they have also raised substantial amounts of money for local charities such as Coast Shelter and the Wesley Mission Aunties and Uncles program. As Lorraine put it, "Their dedication to giving back to the wider community is a source of pride for all who call Brentwood Village home."

Village manager Bernie also shared some heartfelt words during the recent celebration, reminiscing about the village's early days and its journey to becoming the thriving community it is today. "I am certain that Brentwood will continue to thrive for at least another 40 years," he said.

Back to Brentwood Village