What started as a simple sunflower-growing challenge blossomed into a statewide celebration of creativity, connection and dementia awareness across BlueCare retirement living villages..
As part of BlueCare Giving Day, BlueCare has announced the winners of its inaugural Great Sunflower Grow Off, with residents and retirement living teams across Queensland turning sunflower seeds into gardens, and creating sunflower themed artworks, baking, craft, intergenerational projects and opportunities to start conversations about dementia.
More than 15 villages, home to more than 1800 residents, took part, with more than 1,000 sunflower seeds distributed and more than 20 activities and events held across the state.
The initiative formed part of BlueCare’s lead-up to Giving Day, which raises awareness and support for people living with dementia and their families, while encouraging residents to connect, learn and participate in ways that suited them.
A simple idea that grew into something bigger
BlueCare Executive General Manager Retirement Living Natalie Smith said rather than focusing solely on who could grow the biggest sunflower, the Grow Off evolved into a celebration of what residents could create together.
“Sunflowers became the starting point for something much bigger,” Mrs Smith said.
“We saw residents gardening, painting, baking, crafting and working alongside younger generations. Most importantly, we saw people connecting with one another and finding new ways to talk about dementia.
“That is the real impact of this initiative – showing how a simple idea can open the door to connection, creativity and conversations that matter.”
The competition featured five categories recognising the many different ways residents embraced the challenge.
Great Sunflower Grow Off Winners
Golden Sunflower Award: Best overall entry
Wirunya Retirement Village – RAC dementia unit initiative
Wirunya captured the spirit of the Great Sunflower Grow Off with a determined, resident-led project that brought the village together around a shared goal. Residents planted 93 seeds, held working bees, repotted seedlings and created a display specifically positioned so it could be enjoyed by residents in the RAC dementia unit. When the weather meant the sunflowers would not bloom in time for judging, the group didn’t give up. Instead, they adapted their display with a colourful handmade sign and turned a growing challenge into another opportunity for creativity. The project has even inspired plans for a regular gardening group and community veggie patch – a wonderful legacy.
Best in Bloom: Best garden or pot display
Doug and Margaret Tucker, Elanora Retirement Village
At 93, Doug took on growing sunflowers as a new hobby, with Margaret by his side. Their sunflowers became a colourful feature near the pathway, giving residents and visitors a reason to stop, admire the flowers and strike up a conversation. Their entry beautifully captured the simple joy of growing something and the way a small project can bring colour, conversation and connection into everyday village life. As Doug put it: “By growing the sunflowers, it's turned the invisible heavy reality of dementia into a visible, beautiful truth.”
Garden Glory: Most creative idea or meaningful story
Joint winners
Glenda Evans, Carlyle Gardens Mackay Retirement Village
Glenda transformed an old tin trunk, painted rocks and playful garden objects into a colourful sunflower display designed to make people stop and take notice. Her display sparked conversations about Giving Day and dementia among passers-by and reflected Glenda’s own personal connection to dementia. Her message was simple: “Grow tall for Giving Day. Smile and be happy!”
Jocelyn Gartner, Iona Retirement Village
Gardening may not have been Jocelyn’s forte, but that didn’t stop her getting creative. She turned the sunflower challenge into a beautiful cross-stitch project, showing that participation can take many different forms. Her entry celebrated creativity, self-expression and the many ways residents can contribute and be part of something together.
Sky High: Most memorable personal experience or achievement
Margaret Walker, Nandeebie Retirement Village
Margaret embraced the challenge with her friend Bronwyn Kelly, by preparing the soil, planting, watering and caring for her seedlings. Watching them grow became a new daily hobby, with plants to care for and take pride in as she watched her seedlings emerge and develop. She also enjoyed sharing her progress with visitors and fellow residents. Taking on something new was a wonderful personal achievement for Margaret, and a lovely example of how the Grow Off was about so much more than growing a sunflower.
Intergenerational: Best involvement of different generations
Joint winners
Argyle Gardens Retirement Village and Shalom College
Argyle Gardens partnered with Shalom College to bring residents and students together to build LEGO sunflowers while learning about dementia awareness. The activity created an opportunity for meaningful conversations across generations and was such a success that further intergenerational sessions are already planned. It showed how the Grow Off could grow beyond sunflowers to create new relationships, understanding and connection.
Wondall Gardens and Moreton Bay College
Wondall Gardens brought Year 6 students from Moreton Bay College together with residents for a sunflower-themed Paint and Sip session. Residents and students painted, chatted, shared stories and enjoyed each other’s company, creating connections across generations. It also provided a natural opportunity to introduce younger people to dementia awareness and conversations about supporting older people.
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