This week sees the launch of NewDirection Care’s Unsung Heroes magazine. The magazine will feature real-life stories from NewDirection Care’s Bellmere, QLD residents, written by award winning journalist Michael Sheather.’

Natasha Chadwick, CEO and founder of NewDirection Care, says: “Telling our NewDirection Care resident’s story is a privilege, allowing us to gently pull back the curtain on lives that matter, lives that show us all what it means to find a purpose, to find hope and find love in an increasingly uncertain and complex world. These stories reach out to us and draw us in because it is in these stories that we see the echoes of who we want to be.”

The debut issue starts with 104-year-old Bill Bruce, a veteran of WW2 who reveals his secret to a long and happy life. As the star of the magazine cover, Bill says: “I must be the oldest ever person to appear on the front cover, it’s quite funny actually”. We then hear the inspiring story of Jeanie Bell, who became one of Australia’s most accomplished indigenous linguists and academics and helped to preserve the indigenous languages of Australia. War veteran Alex McCabe shares his fascinating experience living through some of history’s greatest moments and Trudi and David Stretton share the story of renewing their wedding vows.

This was the first magazine produced by Robyn Foyster since she was Editor in Chief of The Australian Women’s Weekly ten years ago. “It is a privilege sharing the stories of ordinary Australians who have done extraordinary lives”, says Robyn. “We all know that everyone has a story to tell but it was the ability of award-winning writer Michael Sheather, who worked with me on The Australian Women’s Weekly that wrote these stories. I love the fact that we have a 104-year-old WW2 veteran on the cover. It shows that life never stops being dull and that you can shine at any age. Having said that Bill Bruce is a remarkable man. Like all good Australians, he is partial to bush poets like Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. You’ve got to love that.”

Speaking about the NewDirection Care community, Natasha says: “Everything we do stems from our values of individuality, community, relationships, respect and empathy. I am proud of our staff and in constant awe of the residents who live at our MicroTown™ in Bellmere, QLD, so it’s a privilege to celebrate the rich fabric of our community which is evident in the pages of this magazine”, says Natasha.