Our Super Seniors series celebrates the inspiring stories of older folk who are rewriting the rules of ageing. Embracing life with passion and purpose, these Super Seniors ignore societal expectations and live boldly—whatever that means to them. Join us as we share their journeys of strength, joy, and fearlessness. Want to share your story, or know someone who should be featured? Send an email to news@thecareside.com.au and let us know!
Between a thriving real estate career, adrenaline-pumping adventures, and championing her local arts community, Margaret is redefining what it means to age gracefully. Here’s her story.
Old age is widely understood as a time to slow down, step back, or embrace a quieter, less active lifestyle. But Margaret Vote is shattering that misconception. At 79 years old, she is a vibrant example of how growing older can actually mean embracing life with more energy, courage, and determination.
Margaret has lived a full life. She grew up an only child to become a mother of seven and grandmother of nine (soon to be 10). And she’s always believed in saying yes to life, even when it’s scary.
Despite her first trade as a hairdresser, she made a name for herself in real estate in her 40s after realising she needed a flexible career to take care of her elderly stepfather.
‘I never wanted to be a real estate agent. I was embarrassed to be one at first because it was so different from my Christian community involvement,’ she says. ‘The thought of it made me cringe; I really didn’t want to be a sell-out.’
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Margaret forged forward into her real estate career and made a name for herself by leading with her heart. And now, more than 30 years later, she continues to balance a seven-day work week with regular trips to the gym and a life filled with adventure. The thing is, adventure means something a bit different to Margaret than most people.
Case in point: one of her biggest challenges was learning to fly a small plane, a skill she mastered despite initially dreading it.
‘Did I wanna learn? No, I used to get sick, but then I flew that small plane around the centre of Australia with five other airplanes. That’s where I learned to overcome fear,’ she says confidently.
This courageous spirit has propelled her through many adventures and continues to fuel her zest for life.
‘I love travelling. That’s the thing that inspires me most. I set my sights on something, and then I’ve gotta work really hard to make the money to pay for it,’ she says. ‘Also, I think it’s when you tackle the things you don’t want to do that you get the greatest results and satisfaction.’
Between working hard and caring for family, Margaret also plays a pivotal role in her local arts scene in Brisbane’s coastal suburb of Wynnum. One of her proudest achievements was helping bring a permanent Spiegel tent to the area, creating a vibrant cultural hub.
When a young entertainer named Tom had the idea to launch the Wynnum Fringe Festival to support local artists hit hard by COVID-19 lockdowns, he approached Margaret for support in what can only be considered a true full-circle moment.
‘I sold his family a house when they moved up from Victoria, and he was just a small boy,’ she recalls. ’He came into my office and said, “I’ve got this crazy idea and this is what I wanna do.” And I said to him, “Well, I’m in.”’
‘I get excited by people having a vision. That’s what inspires me,’ she explains.
Margaret teamed up with other sponsors to raise funds and bring the Spiegel tent—which was originally built for Queensland’s 150th anniversary—back to Wynnum.
Their next dream is to find a permanent home for the tent and eventually create a movable cultural venue capable of touring Queensland. Margaret is confident they’ll make it happen: she knows every great achievement starts with a dream and the courage to face the fears attached to the dream head-on.
Margaret’s journey is a powerful example for seniors everywhere. She’s proof that the later chapters of life can be filled with joy and impact—through constant reinvention, community involvement, embracing fear, and balancing life’s demands.
So what does ageing boldly mean to her?
Never letting the fear of missing out stop her. She wants other seniors to know they should never be frightened enough to stop engaging in life.
‘Just do it. Go into the fear,’ she says.
