17 Marion Street, Leichhardt: McRae-McMahon place opens LGBTQI-friendly retirement complex

A new retirement complex in Sydney’s inner west looks to offer more LGBTQI-friendly accommodation and inclusivity. See their plans here.

Rose Jackson Rose Jackson Rose Jackson

A newly-opened inner west retirement village is set to offer same-sex couples safe, inclusive living in their golden years.

With Australia requiring 67,000 new retirement living dwellings by 2030 a new development hopes to help tackle the demands of Australia’s ageing population, while also honoring the LGBTQIA+ community.

Leichardt welcomed McRae-McMahon, a 65-home retirment complex, fit with social housing, penthouses and resort style luxuries all to provide diverse housing options to meet the needs of Australian seniors.

The sprawling village wants to raise the bar for retirement living communities but also looks to provide a place where LGBTQIA feel safe and wanted – which is something McMahon resident Beverley Malzard, who moved in with her same sex partner, worries there may not be enough of.

“We love it here, it’s so inclusive, we feel supported and that we can be involved in the community here, I’m already setting up classes for the village,” she said.

Indoor swimming pool of McMahon residents

“We know some other same sex couples that have moved in who were hesitant about their next chapter but now that they’re hear they have a new lease on life.”

“I just hope more places like this will be built outside of the city, it makes us a kinder society and allows the queer community to feel at home.”

Rev Dorothy McRae-McMahon.

Named after Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon, a pioneering social advocate and openly gay reverent, the opening ceremony fell on a fitting time as it kick started the Mardi Gras festivities.

Rev. Dorothy McRae-McMahon a McRae-McMahon, a former Uniting Church Minister, was thrilled to find out the village was named after her.

“I can’t believe it’s happening, it’s a really mixed feeling of being proud and grateful,” she said.

McRae-McMahon Place was designed to deliver liveability for its residents, creating an environment that can combat social isolation and loneliness, which have a serious impact on seniors.

NSW Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson.

NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said the new homes will make a difference to the lives of Leichhardt locals.

“Everybody deserves a safe place to live, and our priority is to continue to deliver more social and affordable housing across NSW so we can get more people off the housing waitlist and into homes,” she said.

“These new homes have been designed to address the needs of our senior’s community, the units in this village will provide modern, supported independent living for people who need it most.”