Kelly Wilkinson family move into new home built for them by Gold Coast community

The family of Kelly Wilkinson have thanked the many people involved after moving into a new home purpose built for them by the Gold Coast community.

Danielle and Rhys Carroll speak to supporters at their new home on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

• ‘No one wavered’: Incredible story of home for Kelly’s kids
• Suppliers who dug deep to make vision a reality

For months builders, electricians, plumbers had toiled to construct a magnificent seven-bedroom home.

For even longer, construction entrepreneur Tamika Smith of My Bella Casa had campaigned, with the support of local businesses including the Gold Coast Bulletin and Metricon Homes, to see the project come to life.

The finished product is as good as any ever built on the Gold Coast.

At every turn, quality finishes and clever features. Furniture and appliances – the long table with ten neatly arranged chairs, two double door fridges, a row of washing machines and dryers – that tell us every care has been taken to accommodate a large family. And yet, it was only on Tuesday this week, when the family of slain mum Kelly Wilkinson moved in, that this house became a home.

Danielle and Rhys Carroll with the children at their new home on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Ms Wilkinson died after being set on fire in the backyard of her Arundel home on 20 April, 2021. Her estranged husband Brian Earl Johnston has been charged with her murder. He is yet to enter a plea to the charge.

Ahead even of the brilliance of the Metricon Homes build, the greatest feature of the house unveiled on Tuesday was the laughter within it, the shrieks of delight and thumping feet on stairs of eight happy and excited children.

For Danielle and Rhys Carroll, Kelly’s sister and brother in law, who took in her three children following her death, showing them the same love they show their own five kids, it was an emotional moment.

“I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart, every single one of you here, you have just changed our lives,” Mr Carroll told the family, friends and supporters who had gathered to celebrate the occasion.

“It’s just massive. We’re coming from a house we were renovating for six years. Every spare moment on the weekends.

“To be in a house that’s complete like this, the amount that it’s going to open up for us, more quality time for the kids, that really means a lot, it’s fantastic.”

Tamika Smith takes a look inside the new house for Kelly’s kids on the Gold Coast. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

Also present was Kelly’s sister Natalie Wilkinson and, pride and emotion etched on his face, her father Reg.

“We miss her (Kelly) every day,” Mr Wilkinson said.

“But what everyone’s done here is wonderful for the kids and the family. We can’t thank everyone enough.”

There were a lot of people to thank. Crowded in the family’s new kitchen and living area, representatives of the hundreds who had worked to make this home a reality.

In a touching moment, the biggest littlest beneficiaries showed their appreciation, moistening eyes as they handed each of the tradies a colourful card to thank them for their contribution. Ms Smith, a former Harvey Norman Gold Coast Women of the Year category winner, and the indomitable driving force behind the campaign to build a home for Kelly’s kids, said her greatest inspiration was the people who took those three children under their wing – Danielle and Rhys Carroll.

“When Rhys and Danielle said we’re going to make it work for these kids with whatever we have, because we’re taking them in, I was incredibly inspired,” Ms Smith said. “(It was about) standing up for something that was worth so much more than money could buy.”

Many others were inspired along the way. The anonymous Gold Coast family who donated the land upon which the house was built. And Metricon Homes, who built the house with the help of an army of tradies and suppliers who selflessly donated their time, materials and expertise.

“We’re super proud to see the home today, and to see all the sub-contractors and suppliers here. It’s great for them to see it finished,” Metricon CEO Brad Duggan said.

“The generosity of spirit of everyone involved was just amazing. At our core, we’re a family-owned business. To do this for another family was a no-brainer. To be a part of the community is what business is all about.”

Danielle Carroll in one of the children’s bedrooms. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

For Bonney MP Sam O’Connor, who has supported the family on their difficult journey since the loss of much-loved Kelly, the construction of the house spoke volumes about the generosity and spirit of the Gold Coast community.

“It’s amazing. Kelly’s death just tore our community apart, so this will mean so much to people to know that her kids will be looked after and have this beautiful home to live in after what they’ve gone through,” Mr O’Connor said.

“It shows our city is not about hand-outs, it’s about hand-ups. It’s just so heartwarming to see so many people have contributed to this and make this happen in a pretty quick timeframe. It’s just incredible.

“We step up when people need it and that’s what’s happened here.”

It’s a journey that does not end with the handover of the family’s beautiful new house.

Through the Kelly Wilkinson Foundation, the lessons of the last two years will be used to help other families who suffer similar traumas.

“The foundation is about supporting secondary victims of domestic violence, everyone left behind, with a particular focus on children,” co-chair Shaan Ross-Smith said.

“They (Danielle and Rhys) wanted to ensure that other people get the same support that they do.”

People that have suffered so much, have done so much – and yet, are still thinking of new ways to help others.

A fitting tribute to a woman whose presence was keenly felt on Tuesday, Kelly Wilkinson. Her portrait hangs in the hallway of the new home, neatly framed with a bright sunflower. At a vigil held to remember her in the days after her death, mourners were told how she “always said that being a mother was the best job in the world, and loved nothing more than watching the kids play.”

Something her beloved children did with gusto this week, turning a fine new house into a home.

Follow @keithjwoods