When Lin and Geoff Quaife moved to Newling Gardens Retirement Village in 2014, an idle retirement was never on the cards.
Geoff, an academic historian turned author, recently published his twelfth novel—the fifth he has completed since the move to Newling Gardens.
And Lin, a renowned printmaker, has shifted her heavy etching press into their villa’s double garage and continues to produce works for many galleries.
The couple put the burst in productivity down to Newling Gardens’ serene environment.
“It’s a lovely atmosphere to work in,” said Lin.
“We can be as busy or as quiet as we like here, so we go to tai chi every week but we can also work away peacefully.”
While Lin has been printmaking since the 1970s, Geoff’s penchant for fiction writing only began when he retired from his teaching role at the University of New England.
“I didn’t want to write another academic book and I didn’t play bridge or golf, so I thought, ‘what’s going to keep the Alzheimer’s away?’” he said.
“I wrote one book, just to occupy my mind, and then I wrote a second and a third and I’ve just sent off my twelfth.”
Geoff said his books draw upon his academic research into seventeenth century England, following “Oliver Cromwell’s most ruthless agent”, lead character Luke Tremayne.
“It was a way to escape into history and change events as they happen.”
Geoff at work
While Geoff retreats into the seventeenth century from their study, Lin prefers the laundry, where the light is best, for her work.
She specialises in collagraphs—printed collages using materials like lace or sand to achieve unique textures.
Despite their different interests, the couple takes great pride in each other’s work.
“We help each other—I proofread all his books and he gives me feedback on new prints before I run an edition,” she said.
Geoff added, “The only problem is I’m slightly colourblind, which doesn’t help!”
Geoff and Lin’s dedication to their art is proof that age is no barrier to creativity and passion, and neither plans to stop anytime soon.
“I love doing it—I’ve been doing it for so many years I don’t really see myself ever stopping!” said Lin.
Lin, pictured with some examples of her work
