Karli Bryant, 25, won a 116‑year‑old timber cottage in Malanda, Queensland, after a handwritten letter convinced the seller to reject a $60,000 higher offer.
The cottage, built around 1910 when the railway first reached Malanda, had been a home for railway workers and later a family residence. Bryant grew up in the town, attended the adjacent school, and is training to become a teacher there.
Unlike other bidders who planned to demolish the structure for duplexes, Bryant pledged to restore the original timber façade and preserve the building's heritage. Her letter highlighted personal ties, childhood memories, and hopes to raise a family in the town.
Two days after settlement, Bryant and her partner began renovations, with the former owner receiving a thank‑you letter and photo of the couple beside the sold sign. The project reflects a broader trend of younger Australians struggling to enter the property market, especially in regional Queensland where prices have risen sharply.
The restoration is slated to take 12 months, and the cottage will serve as a testament to Malanda's history.