Meet Jim: a life of speed, music and good company at Seabrae Manor

There are some people who seem to carry a whole world of stories with them wherever they go. Jim is one of them.

Since joining us at Seabrae Manor in February 2025, Jim has brought warmth, humour and a quiet kind of joy to everything he takes part in. His smile is one of the first things you notice, and it's rarely far away.

From the workshop to the racetrack Before retirement, Jim worked as a Machine Setter for an engineering company that manufactured plumbing supplies. It was precise, skilled work that suited someone with a natural feel for how things move and fit together. That instinct for engineering extended well beyond the workshop.

In his younger years, Jim was a passionate motorsport competitor. In England, he raced in hillclimbs, pushing his car up winding country roads against the clock. When he later moved to New Zealand, he built and raced on club circuits across the North Island, becoming a familiar face in the local motorsport community.

These days, the racing is enjoyed from a comfortable chair. Jim still loves watching motorsport on TV, and few things lift his spirits quite like a scenic drive with family.

A reunion sixty years in the making Just last Christmas, Jim and his family made a trip to Scotland and England that turned into something remarkable. He revisited places where he had raced his car more than sixty years earlier. At one of those locations, staff took him on a spin around the old track, sat him down to lunch, and arranged a reunion with another driver from that era.

Music, bingo and Friday favourites Life at Seabrae Manor suits Jim well. He's a regular at Bingo and enjoys active games like Ten Pin Bowling. Friday is a particular highlight, starting with Men's Club in the morning and wrapping up with Happy Hour in the afternoon.

Jim also has a deep love of orchestral music, especially the work of André Rieu. He's attended a couple of Rieu's concerts in the past, and the live music events at Seabrae are among his favourites. He especially lights up for the Brass Band and the Ukelele Band concerts.

The philosophy of a gentleman When asked what wisdom he'd pass on, Jim doesn't hesitate: "Kindness costs nothing." It's a simple saying, but it tells you everything about the man.

Jim is someone who enjoys company, looks out for familiar faces, and finds genuine pleasure in the day-to-day connections that make a community feel like home. You'll often catch him having a giggle with friends, bringing that easy sense of humour to whatever's happening around him.

We're glad you're part of our community, Jim.

Call Seabrae Manor Home If you or someone you love is looking for a residential aged care place in the Rothwell area, we would love to hear from you. Call us on 07 3053 3333 or contact us to find out more.