Page 7 - CR Spring Newsletter 2023

7 RESIDENCES REVIEW, SPRING 2023

LOVE STORY

Michael & Kaylene Kennedy

We set off to Dubbo in our small Datsun 120Y
with Danielle in a bassinet on the back seat of the
car. We arrived safely and set up home in a
rented unit in West Dubbo. We swiftly organised
the purchasing a block of land in a new
subdivision and engaged a builder to build a new
home which we moved into later that year.

Michael’s job was thriving and he soon became a
partner in the firm which became known as Darcy
Kennedy. Kaylene decided to be a stay at home
mum and they had 3 more children – Emma,
Christopher and James – and we had to build on
Michael Kennedy is the eldest son of a farming to our original small home.
family from Tallimba and was studying
accountancy at the University of New South The Darcy Kennedy firm was named NSW Telstra
Wales and was living on campus at Warrane Small Business of the year in 1999. This award
College. Kaylene Watts was a registered nurse and publicity attracted interest from an emerging
studying midwifery at St Margaret’s hospital. listed national accounting company. The Darcy
Kennedy practice in Dubbo was sold to the listed
In May 1975, the boys at Warrane College had company in 2000. In 2004, Michael was offered
organised a social ball at the Lakes Golf Course the position of NSW and QLD manager for the
clubhouse and Michael was looking for a partner company. Michael, Kaylene and youngest son,
for the function. A friend asked his fiancé to invite James, moved back to Sydney after 26 years
girls from St Margaret’s; Kaylene accepted and living in Dubbo.
became a blind date for Michael. That night was
a life changing event for both Michael and Michael started working at Norwest in 2006 and
Kaylene. A romance blossomed and Kaylene purchased a house in Beecroft. Kaylene found
even typed Michael’s final honours year thesis. her green thumb and enjoyed experimenting with
growing new plants she had been unable to grow
Michael finished his university degree and started in the harsher climate at Dubbo. Michael retired in
working in Sydney with a large accounting firm. 2015 but only lasted 3 months when Michael
Kaylene moved back home to Lidcombe and started working at an accounting firm in Bathurst.
began working at Auburn District Hospital. In 2016, Michael established a new office for the
Michael proposed to Kaylene and announced the firm in Norwest and many of his former clients
engagement to Kaylene’s mum and Michael’s came back to the new office.
parents on the night of Michael’s graduation
ceremony in March 1976. It certainly was a big Michael and Kaylene sold their home in Beecroft
day! We waited to get married until Michael to downsize and transition to retirement. This
finished the year of study to be a Chartered brought us to Cranbrook Residences in 2019
Accountant. We married on 11 June 1977 at St which is an outstanding facility with welcoming
Joachim Catholic Church. residents and staff.

Michael accepted a position as a graduate Michael finally retired as an accountant in 2023
accountant at a small public accounting firm in and we look forward to enjoying retirement at
Dubbo. At the time, Kaylene was pregnant with Cranbrook Residences and visiting our children
our first child. Danielle was born on 12 April 1978 and grandchildren interstate. The love story
and our family was started. continues for hopefully many more years.