Lights, Camera, Action! Sylvia finds freedom to embrace her passions at Campbell Lifestyle Estate

After spending 18 years caring for her mother and sister, Sylvia Stock was ready to begin a new chapter filled with freedom, creativity and opportunity. Recently relocating from Queensland to Lincoln Place’s Campbell Lifestyle Estate in the Hunter Valley, Sylvia wanted to be closer to her son, and she’s now embracing a lifestyle that truly allows her to live life well.

A Fresh Start and a New Passion

When asked to be the face of a new national advertising campaign for Lincoln Lifestyle, Sylvia 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 explained.

“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.”

Embracing Freedom and Possibility

For Sylvia, living in a land lease community has opened up endless opportunities, offering both 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.

Living Life Well in the Hunter Valley

Campbell Lifestyle Estate offers modern, low-maintenance homes designed for active over-50s living. With resort-style facilities including a pool, clubhouse, bowling green and theatrette, the estate provides residents with the space to downsize without compromise. Less than an hour from Newcastle, it’s surrounded by the Hunter Valley’s world-class wineries, boutique towns and national parks.

The land lease model used by provider Lincoln Lifestyle allows residents to retain full ownership of their home and any capital gains, while leasing the land on which it sits. For Campbell Lifestyle Estate, it means no stamp duty, council rates, entry or exit fees, or deferred management fees – a financial structure that has allowed Sylvia to unlock a new level of lifestyle freedom.

Lincoln Lifestyle 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,” Ms Davis said.