From gardening club to cover star: Ingenia resident finds fame at 69

Brian Lawrence is used to reading other people’s stories, so seeing his own face on the cover of Ingenia Lifestyle’s Inspire magazine has taken a little getting used to.

The 69-year-old former painter and decorator recently became the cover star of the spring edition of Inspire, with a photograph that celebrates his love of gardening.

Surrounded by fresh produce, Brian is featured in a story called Planted Seeds of Friendship. For a man who has embraced the gardening club at his Bargara community, it’s a fitting introduction, but being chosen for the cover was something he’d never imagined.

“I’m a bit overawed by it all to be honest,” Brian says. “I love reading Inspire because I enjoy finding out about other residents and communities, but I never imagined I would be the face of it!”

His neighbours made sure Brian’s fame didn’t drift by without a party – gathering to celebrate the magazine’s latest edition with a larger-than-life replica of the cover giving everyone a chance to pose for photographs with Brian’s magazine moment.

There were copies of the publication to take home, refreshments to enjoy and a huge cheeseboard. But for Brian, the best part of the experience has been sharing the experience with people who have become part of his life.

“Everyone’s been saying lovely things about it all and we really enjoyed the launch event, especially the huge cheeseboard,” Brian’s wife Kerry said. “I think it’s just fabulous, and the photo is beautiful,” she said with pride.

Finding his place through gardening

Brian and Kerry moved to Ingenia Lifestyle Drift in Bargara two years ago, and have enjoyed getting to know fellow residents by joining in on community activities.

The Gardening Club has been a particular highlight for them, as it has given them a shared interest with people they’d never met but who would later become friends. After all, when gardening, there’s always something to talk about, whether it’s the weather ahead, what’s growing well, or a plant that needs more attention.

In Brian’s case, gardening has become a part of his life in Bagara, and it’s made him feel that he and Kerry are part of a strong and caring community.

“Ingenia Lifestyle Drift is a great community and I’ve loved meeting everyone here and getting involved in all the activities, especially the Gardening Club,” Brian says.

Putting familiar faces in the spotlight

Let’s face it, everyone gets excited when they see someone they know in a magazine, and for Brian, the decision to photograph a resident is part of what makes the magazine special. “It’s great that Ingenia is using real people instead of models,” he said.

Now in its fourth edition, Inspire features stories about community life and wellbeing from across Ingenia’s over-55s communities, and Brian’s appearance is part of the publication’s editorial approach – residents being at the heart of the stories.

Kristy Minter is Ingenia Communities Executive Manager – Residential, and she says the intention is to share the experiences of the people who live in their communities.

“Our residents are the heart and soul of our communities, and we want Inspire to reflect that by featuring the real people, personalities and experiences that make Ingenia Lifestyle so special,” she said.

“Across our communities, there are so many wonderful stories to tell, and who better to share them than the people who live them every day?” Kristy Minter.

For readers, a story such as Brian’s offers a glimpse of someone enjoying a new chapter of life, where activities such as gardening can be enjoyed, and new friendships made.

Kristy couldn’t resist suggesting there might be more cover appearances ahead. “I think Brian looks fantastic on the cover,” she said. “He’s certainly doing Ingenia Lifestyle Drift proud, and who knows, this might just be the start of a modelling career.”

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