Lawrie Beacham has always lived by the motto: “Happy is the man who works in his hobby.” For him, that hobby was cars —and it’s led him on an incredible life journey.
Growing up in Victoria, Lawrie was raised in a household where mental health was never something to hide. His dad, who worked as a mental health nurse, had a simple but powerful belief: mental health struggles are just like catching a cold. We should be able to talk about them just like we do having a cold.
After discovering a passion for cars and community, Lawrie eventually found himself in Hervey Bay and instantly fell in love. Whether it’s through his beloved car club or service with the Rotary Club, Lawrie’s made it his mission to stay connected and give back.
In his words: “When someone’s in a hole and they drag themselves out of it—that’s when I respect them.”
Lawrie’s story is one of resilience through the pressures of business ownership, mateship when times get tough, and a reminder that checking in can change a life.
Find your mates. Look after the friendship. And don’t forget to ask, ‘Are you okay, mate?’
Watch Lawrie’s full Everyday Mates story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i5fAdkmmXY