63-year-old Sylvia Stock is embracing a new chapter of freedom, creativity and opportunity at the Over 50s land lease community in Cessnock in the NSW Hunter Valley.
She recently relocated from Queensland to the Hunter Valley community to be closer to her son after spending the past 18 years caring for her mother and sister.
When asked to be the face of a new advertising campaign for Lincoln Place, Sylvia said she discovered a love for the camera and decided to embark on ‘mature-age’ modelling.
“I had such a fun day filming, with lots of laughter and encouragement from the crew. They mentioned there’s a shortage of models over 60, and that motivated me to give it a go,” Sylvia said.
“I’m going to put myself out there and try my luck. Now that I’m living at Campbell Lifestyle Estate, I feel like I’m ready to grab every opportunity that comes my way. I’ve already booked a photo shoot to create a portfolio.”
Sylvia said living in a land lease community had opened-up endless opportunities, including more time and financial freedom to live her life to the fullest.
“As the primary carer for two family members for almost two decades, I didn’t have the ability or money to travel, but now I’m planning a five-week Christmas European holiday and I’m doing it in style, travelling business class for the first time,’’ she said.
“As soon as I drove into the Lincoln Place estate, I instantly knew it was the right fit for me. Unlike other over-50s’ communities I had looked at, Campbell Lifestyle Estate was different – houses weren’t right up on the road, there were backyards, gardens, and above all, it was a gated community where I could feel safe.”
In addition to travel, Sylvia is using the remaining capital from the sale of her home in Queensland to enhance her lifelong passion for art. With plans to transform half of her double garage into a custom-built art studio, she hopes to showcase her abstract works to local galleries and markets.
With resort style facilities including a pool, clubhouse, bowling green, and theatrette, Campbell Lifestyle Estate provides residents with the space to downsize without compromise.
Less than an hour from Newcastle, the estate is surrounded by the Hunter Valley’s world-class wineries, boutique towns, and national parks.
Lincoln Place Community Portfolio Manager Simone Davis said Sylvia was a wonderful reflection of the new generation of downsizers.
“Residents like Sylvia are thriving in our connected, vibrant communities. They have often spent years caring for family or maintaining large homes, and now it’s their time to focus on themselves and what they love. They can enjoy financial freedom, security, and the social life that comes with rightsizing into a lifestyle estate,” Simone said.
The final stage of homes at Campbell Lifestyle Estate is now under construction, offering the last opportunity to join the sought-after community. Two-bedroom low-maintenance homes start from $675,000, with a $1,500 refundable deposit to secure a purchase.