Lidia Elsey

SHE made the trip across the sea to find paradise and hasn't looked back.

Lidia Elsey still has a very strong North Italian and partly Slavic accent, but she's a "dinky di" Aussie girl at heart and loves her country of residence.

When asked why she lives in Kirra, she pulls no punches in her reply.

"Are you kidding?" she said.

"What a silly question.

"Look at this place.

"It's Heaven on earth."

She walks by Kirra Beach everyday and said each time she looks out across the sea is like the first time.

"I'll never get tired of that view," she told My Daily News.

"It's very like where I lived in Europe, but even better.

"This is where I want to end my life."

Bree and Courtney

THEY have a firm goal this summer.

Bree Garland and Courtney Myers are novices in the surfing game.

But they are determined to master the skill by the end of summer.

"We live locally at Kirra and love it," Bree said.

"It wouldn't be right not to surf as well.

"It's kind of a tradition and I'm keen to be part of it."

The pair are making the most of the school holidays.

Bree will spend Christmas at Kirra with her family before heading for a holiday in Fiji.

"I'm very excited about the trip," she said.

Courtney is happy to spend the holidays with her family at Kirra.

"I don't need to go away," she said.

"I already live in paradise."

Ronald, Robert and Ken

RONALD Scott has lived at Kirra for 23 years.

"I'm a Sydney boy, but I've found the perfect home at Kirra,' he said.

"I bought a one-way ticket to the Gold Coast and haven't looked back.

"That was on Melbourne Cup day.

"It was the best thing I've ever done."

Robert Rogers has been retired for 30 years and has settled at Kirra.

"I love this place," he told My Daily News.

"The company is great and the view is unbeatable.

"There are so many beautiful walks and no hills to struggle up.

"I've got everything I need here, including great shops and clubs."

Ken Connole said it was always his dream to retire to the Gold Coast.

"The weather is perfect at Kirra," he said.

"There's always sunshine and that little breeze.

"People call it 'Windy Kirra.'

"I call it Heaven."