News Corp Australia
First published 25 Oct 2024, 6:00am
The current owners of 39 Bodalla St Norman Park bought it from former NRL great Willie Carne 26 years ago
A secret oasis can be found behind the picture-perfect facade of this Colonial-style
Queenslander on the waterfront at Norman Park.
Set on a large 1960sq m block with access to Norman Creek, 39 Bodalla St comprises a
grand character home that harks back to 1910 which opens up to reveal two stunning
architect-designed additions, along with a swimming pool, tennis court, and boat pontoon.
Peter Scanlan and his family have owned the mesmerising property for the past 26 years
after falling in love with its character, size, and location.
“We actually purchased it from former Bronco Willie Carne, who had put in the resort-style
pool and tennis court,” Mr Scanlan said.
“At that stage it was a Colonial with a 1980s renovation, and for us it was the perfect place
for our two boys to grow up due to the size of the land and the location.”
Willie Carne back in his playing days for the Brisbane Broncos.
The Scanlans lived in the Queenslander for a period before embarking on a major
renovation in 2005.
“I’d researched architect Paul Owen and really liked his work,” Mr Scanlan said.
“So we approached him to add a modern extension to the 1910 Colonial.”
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The front of the house
Two years in the design and building phase, the renovation proved a masterstroke,
combining heritage character with contemporary architecture to create a functional yet
visually stunning home.
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
“We added a new kitchen, formal and informal dining areas, a sunken lounge and covered
entertaining deck,” Mr Scanlan said.
“But the icing on the cake was a large walled courtyard on the ground floor which overlooks
the rear of the property to the gardens, pool, and tennis court.”
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
A decade later the Scanlans extended the house again, this time commissioning award-
winning architects Zuzana & Nicholas to add extra bedrooms and a study beneath the home.
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
The result is a sprawling two-storey residence that offers a private sanctuary just 5km from
the CBD.
“From the front of the property all you can see is the Colonial Queenslander and you
wouldn’t know what was hidden behind it,” Mr Scanlan said.
“The street frontage offers incredible privacy and when people come through and open that
courtyard door they are blown away by the size of the block.”
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
While the property packs some serious architectural pedigree, Mr Scanlan said above all it
had been a prized home where his family relished spending time.
“It’s an incredibly special place to live and that’s due in no small part to the work done by
Paul Owen,” he said.
“I love watching the shadows play on the walls over the course of the day and the views to
the backyard.
“The way the deck can be closed off or opened up really makes the property, and there’s
nothing better than sitting in the sunken lounge or the courtyard looking out on the gardens.”
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
The property’s size, scale and privacy has made it a perfect venue for entertaining family
and friends.
“There are lots of great memories of everything from fifth birthdays to 18ths and 21sts where
the garden was lit up with fairy lights,” Mr Scanlan said.
“And our boys just loved having their friends over.
“They’d come home from school, drop their bags, head outside and just enjoy nature –
whether it was fishing off the pontoon, crabbing, kayaking, camping in the backyard or
playing cricket on the tennis court.”
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
The architect-designed family sanctuary at Norman Park is listed with Heath Williams of
Place New Farm and is for sale by a top offer campaign that closes on November 6.
Carne is now a real estate agent on the Sunshine Coast.
39 Bodalla St Norman Park
English (US) · 