Meet Jock Curtis, local legend at Dovetree aged care

Local Legends is a new series from Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ), sharing inspiring stories from the people we support across aged care, disability, mental health and community services. Resident Jock Curtis features in our first story, reflecting a life of resilience, creativity and kindness.

A story of strength and creativity

At Dovetree Residential Aged Care Community, 76-year-old Jock Curtis stands out - not because he seeks attention, but because of the steady, meaningful way he lives.

His life has been shaped by resilience, creativity, and kindness, and he continues to share those qualities with everyone around him.

From country roots to creative heights

Raised on a cattle stud in Guyra, Jock's early life was rooted in the land. As an only child in a one-teacher school, Jock found joy in the simple pleasures of rural life. But at the age of eight, life took an unexpected turn when he was struck by rheumatic fever. The illness was severe, and recovery slow, shifting his schooling to correspondence and winters to the warmer Gold Coast climate.

There, amidst family gardens and the tender care of his grandmother, a love of nature and flowers began to bloom, one that would carry him throughout his life.

I think I associated nature and flowers with the positive feelings I had being with my grandmother.

A life in full bloom

Jock’s passion for flowers blossomed into a celebrated career in floristry and interior design. From humble school chapel arrangements to winning state and national floristry awards, he worked at major department stores like Myer before starting his own flower shop at Brookside.

His floral artistry eventually led him to designing arrangements for Princess Diana and Prince Charles during their visit to Government House. His work graced weddings, festivals, the Brisbane Ekka, and St Mary’s Kangaroo Point Church.

That was a standout, doing the floral work for the royals. And helping with weddings at St Mary’s was always a joy.

Jock also found joy in music and theatre, performing in plays and singing with the Queensland State Choir. The exhilaration of performing with a live orchestra, he says, was one of life’s most unexpected and treasured gifts.

Life at Dovetree

After an injury ended his active floristry career, Jock found himself transitioning to life at Dovetree. But far from slowing down, Jock simply found new ways to give. He now leads a monthly floristry class, gathering residents to create arrangements that decorate the centre or are sold at the Dovetree markets.

The class isn’t just about flowers, it’s about connection, learning, and passing on a craft that shaped his life.

I try to teach something sensible about arranging flowers but really, it’s about spending time together.

A legend, living among us

Jock Curtis reminds us that legend doesn’t always mean fame. Sometimes, it’s the quiet strength of someone who has lived through hardship, embraced beauty, and continued to give, even when the path grew steep.

So next time you see him at Dovetree, perhaps with a pair of roses in hand, know that you're in the presence of a true local legend.

Stay tuned for more in our Local Legends series where we celebrate the remarkable lives of those in our community.