Thaidays’ party house a real hoot
A perched owl is one of the reasons footy star Sam Thaiday and wife Rachel bought their Samford Heights home.
A perched owl is one of the reasons footy star Sam Thaiday and wife Rachel bought their Samford Heights home.
It felt a little bit like fate when the couple came across the 1½- acre property tucked behind a new estate in Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs five years ago.
“We were just about to have kids and do the family thing and we were looking for more space,” Rachel says.
“The day that we came out to look at the house, we saw the sign that says, ‘Home of the Powerful Owl’, as we were driving into Samford. We just had Gracie and everyone had bought us things with owls.
“And, weeks before she was born, there was an owl on our back deck at Northgate,” Thaiday says. “It was this kind of crazy and meant to be.”
The year has proved one of change for the Thaidays, highlighted by the shiny, black Harley Davidson motorcycle sitting out the front of the home.
Following his retirement from the NRL last year, the former Brisbane Broncos star has begun spending more time on the other side of the microphone.
Getting accustomed to the commentary box, he has also expanded into radio, presenting “Thank God It’s Thaiday” each Saturday morning on Brisbane’s Nova.
His motorcycle licence has been something he has worked towards over the past 12 months in his free time, but it hasn’t been an easy transition.
“There’s always going to be a rugby league-shaped hole in my life,” Thaiday says.
“Doing the commentary stuff is great, because I've still got a foot in the door but it’s almost taunting and teasing me as well,” he adds.
“So, it’s definitely been a really, really tough year transitioning from being a football player to not being one any more. And everyone feels that — Rach feels that and the girls do as well.”
Thaiday’s girls have been his rock, with family at the heart of their home.
Rachel and Sam met in their early teens at their Townsville high school. They remained friends for years, attending their school formal and living together in Brisbane as friends before becoming a couple.
A set of shelves in the entryway is dedicated to their love story, including wedding and baby pictures and trophies showcasing the family’s achievements.
Impressive art hangs throughout the home. One of the first pieces to catch the eye is a portrait of an indigenous child, gifted by Dalby artist Graeme McCullough. Elsewhere, a profile of Sam hangs on the wall, hand-drawn in precise realism by Kris Hartas with a humble pen.
Another work by the same artist depicting a horse hangs in the front room.
Framed jerseys and nods to championships lead down the hall to the girls’ bedrooms. Both Gracie, 6, and Ellsie, 4, love pink but are also encouraged to break stereotypes, playing an array of sports including rugby league.
Rachel, a former professional netballer, personal trainer and podcaster, has an office and meeting room towards the back of the house, fitted with a bright tropical wallpaper and overlooking the sprawling backyard.
Windows of all shapes and sizes feature throughout the home, filling the space with light and at times raising questions — the window from the hallway into the ensuite bathroom is one of the small oddities. The Thaidays have already done a fair bit of work on the property, including an update of the master bedroom, kitchen and outside deck, but still have a long way to go.
It all lends to the couple’s sense of fun.
“It’s a party house, there is plenty of fun to be had,” Thaiday says. “It’s good for entertaining but also for family.”
Glass windows retract to connect the indoor and outdoor entertaining areas, making it a quick dash between the kitchen, dining table and pool.
A tree-lined strip towards the back of the property has hosted several garden parties, with fairy lights strung between branches. It is also the perfect space for a slip and slide during the hot Queensland summers.
The cul-de-sac has also seen several Christmas parties among the neighbours.
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