A lifelong passion for orchids is helping bring residents together at Regis Kingswood in South Australia, where resident Trevor’s decades of knowledge have inspired a new resident-led Orchid Club.
Long before moving to the Home, Trevor was growing orchids. Today, his collection continues to flourish in the gardens at Regis Kingswood, where support from employees and shared garden spaces, Trevor has been able to continue pursuing a hobby that has been part of his life for decades. Through a resident-led Orchid club, Trevor shares that passion more widely, giving other residents the opportunity to learn from one another and connect through a shared interest.
Trevor’s connection to orchids spans much of his life. He previously worked at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens and has been actively involved in the South Australian Orchid Society, with his work featured in the 1986 publication Modern Orchid Growing: For Pleasure and Profit.
But for Trevor, orchid growing has always been about more than the plants themselves.
“I’ve always enjoyed the community around orchid growing and showing, as well as growing the plants themselves,” he said.
When Trevor moved to Regis Kingswood, he brought his collection of homegrown orchids with him, carefully tending to them in the Home’s gardens. When the flowers reach full bloom, they are often displayed in reception for everyone to enjoy.
His passion is now set to create new opportunities for other residents through the launch of an Orchid Club, where Trevor shares his knowledge and helps others learn more about growing orchids.
“I’m looking forward to showing people more about orchids and what they can grow here,” he said.
At Regis Kingswood, residents are supported to continue doing the things that matter to them while sharing their skills and experiences with others. For Trevor, that means continuing to nurture a lifelong passion while helping it flourish in new ways within the Home.
