For the past 30 years Don lived a quiet life near Noojee. “I had been managing motels in Bright, Port Macquarie and Frankston and after that finished I wanted to get away from all the busyness.
“We moved to a dead-end road in the most beautiful countryside. It was a great place to live.”
Don was born in Mildura but his family moved frequently, following the demands of his father’s work in the air force. At 15 Don left school and embarked on a building apprenticeship in Ballarat, leading to several decades of work in construction.
Despite always working hard, when he moved to Bright to run a motel Don was dismayed at how puffed he felt walking uphill. Determined to remedy the situation, he started running at the age of 43 and kept at it for the next 40 years.
He ran marathons, entered trail running events and was an early competitor in the Alpine Climb, requiring participants to run up each of Mount Bogong, Mount Porepunkah, Mount Feathertop, Mount Hotham and Mount Buffalo over five successive days.
His running years are behind him, but Don continues to believe in the power of staying active, and takes a walk from Amberlea around the pretty streets of Drouin every day.
“ I enjoy being here, and the food is very good, but I’m not really a people person, so I keep to myself and do my own thing.”
His wellbeing practice also extends beyond the physical. “I meditate for between one and one-and-a-half hours every day. The meditation has been a long term thing. It is so subtle. You look back on yourself, there are things that have just dropped away, and you may not have realised that was happening at the time. It’s fascinating.”
Wide reading is another of Don’s great pleasures. “I have always been interested in spirituality, and still enjoy reading things towards it,” Don said. He has several books by Carl Jung close at hand in his Amberlea room.
“I’ve read them for years but still can’t understand them,” he laughed.
He revels in the access to the trove of books at Amberlea, and also spends time at the library, with Australian history and bush literature favourite categories, as well as the occasional Agatha Christie.
While Don enjoys his own company, he is also delighted that his room is next door to an old friend, Lesley.
“[Lesley and I] spend a lot of time together, go for our walks, and it is so special to have that connection with someone who has known you for a long time,”
Individuals have always lived their lives in different ways, yet there has been a long-standing false assumption that everyone should spend their older years in a similar fashion.
Acknowledging that ageing lifestyles are diverse and that agency and individualised experiences are important is the philosophy that underpins Baptcare’s Living Well Together model of care. It is also exemplified in Don McLennan’s individual and meaningful lifestyle at Amberlea.
Community news
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Faces of Baptcare: Alice Linklater – Allied Health
In light of recent celebrations for Allied Health Professionals Day on 14 October 2025, we’d like to spotlight Alice Linklater. Alice, our Allied Health Lead for Podiatry and Occupational Therapy in VIC/TAS, is a bundle of energy and expertise who brings warmth and good vibes wherever she goes. Her upbeat attitude is much appreciated daily by our colleagues and clients.
- 23 Oct 2025
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Faces of Baptcare: Hilary Davis
There’s something almost celestial about meditation teacher and health coach, Hilary Davis. Her calming presence immediately puts the residents at Karana Residential Aged Care community at ease, and the trust she inspires is clear as they quickly open up and share their thoughts with her. Even the resident cat, Mona, approaches her curiously before slinking off to her sunbeam meditation. Between restful meditation exercises, we sat down to hear about Hilary’s journey from corporate lawyer to community healer.
- 23 Sep 2025
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BaptistCare welcomes Baptist Care Australia team to lead advocacy
The Baptist Care Australia (BCA) team has joined the newly merged BaptistCare organisation after the national peak body representing Baptist community service organisations announced it will conclude operations. Following the merger of key BCA state members Baptcare (VIC, TAS, SA), Baptist Care SA and BaptistCare (NSW, ACT, WA) there is no longer the same need for a national peak body.
- 04 Sep 2025
