For more than five decades, Glenis Lindley’s name was synonymous with Australian motorsport. If there was a race worth capturing, she was there, camera in hand, lens poking through a fence, capturing the speed, the thrill and the moments that defined the sport she loved. She was happiest at Bathurst, watching cars lift off the ground over The Dipper. But behind the camera was something even more powerful: a generosity and faith that shaped her life, her work and the way she saw the world.
Glenis wasn’t just a motorsport photographer. She was a storyteller, a journalist and a strong woman with conviction. She navigated a heavily male-dominated industry with humility, grace, humour, stubbornness and an unshakable belief that she was exactly where she was meant to be.
Over the years, she interviewed some of the biggest names in motorsport, including (but not limited to) Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Mark Webber. She wasn’t just a reporter—she was part of the motorsport family, counting legends like Peter Brock, Dick Johnson and Tony Longhurst among her close friends. Her journey took her from the classroom to the pit lane, from Bathurst to Bahrain, Singapore to her beloved Gold Coast, driven by a love of both motorsport and the God she served.
finding her calling
Born Glenis Justins in Queensland, she grew up in a family that valued faith and education. Her family attended a small Seventh-day Adventist church at Wynnum on the bay side of Brisbane. She became a teacher, spending her early career in the classroom, but her life took an unexpected turn when she found herself drawn into the world of motorsport. In 1976, she was given an opportunity to photograph the Bathurst 1000 for Harry Firth’s Holden Dealer Team. What started as a chance encounter became the foundation of a lifelong hobby.
It wasn’t just about the cars for Glenis. She was fascinated by the people—the drivers, the teams, the mechanics who poured their hearts into the sport. Her photos told their stories, capturing the triumphs, the heartbreaks and the raw emotion that unfolded beyond the finish line. She had a way of seeing things that others missed, of turning a fleeting moment into something lasting. Some of those photos made the front pages of national newspapers.
Glenis’s love for cars also went far beyond the racetrack. She adored exotic vehicles, with Porsches, Maseratis and Alfa Romeos among her favourites. Her husband, Ken, also a teacher, couldn’t have cared less about cars. He was perfectly content driving his 15-year-old Suzuki Vitara, a source of endless amusement for Glenis and the family.
But as much as she loved motorsport, Glenis never let it define her entirely. Her passion for giving back, and a faith often at odds with the industry she was involved in, drove her.
She believed in kindness, generosity and supporting those in need, always finding ways to help others. Her Christian ethos was strong.
writing for Signs of the Times
Beyond the camera, Glenis was a writer. She contributed to numerous publications, covering motorsport for mainstream and specialist outlets alike. Yet, no matter how busy she was, she always made time for Signs of the Times. Writing for a Christian publication was something she valued deeply, using her platform to share stories that blended faith, resilience, inspiration . . . and cars.
Her pieces ranged from profiles of sporting figures to explorations of faith in action. Whether she was writing about Formula 1 drivers like Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber or Daniel Ricciardo, or sharing stories of remarkable individuals who overcame adversity, she had a gift for connecting with readers.
One of her most impactful articles, No Limbs, No Limits, told the story of Nick Vujicic, a man born without limbs who became a global motivational speaker. She understood what it meant to push past limitations, to carve out a place in an unlikely world. Motorsport hadn’t always been welcoming to women but Glenis didn’t let that stop her. She built a career on skill, determination and sheer love for the sport and its people.
For Glenis, writing for Signs of the Times wasn’t just another professional outlet. It was a way of sharing her faith, of bridging the gap between the fast-paced world of racing and the deeper, quieter truths she loved.
faith in action
Glenis believed that faith wasn’t just about personal belief. It was about action. She was deeply generous, always looking for ways to support those in need. She mentored younger photographers, helping them find their footing in an industry that could be unforgiving. She donated her time, her resources and her energy to causes she believed in, never seeking recognition but always making an impact.
Technology played a key role in helping Glenis stay connected to her faith, even while travelling the world for motorsport. No matter where she was, she could still tune in to a livestream from Springwood Adventist Church, allowing her to remain part of an online community she loved.
She also had another spiritual constant—Elvis Presley’s gospel music. Whether at home or on the road, she carried an old iPod filled with his hymns, which brought her comfort and inspiration.
Even in her final chapter, she continued to give. Before her passing in early 2025, Glenis ensured that she would leave behind more than just a photographic legacy. She arranged to help fund cancer research at Sydney Adventist Hospital, a cause close to her heart after facing her own battle with cancer and losing her husband to the disease a decade earlier. Her generosity extended beyond her lifetime, continuing to make a difference even after she was gone.
Her kindness and warmth were evident in the friendships she built. She was more than respected—she was loved. In an industry known for its competitive and high-pressure environment, Glenis stood out as someone who brought people together, who looked out for others and who made the paddock feel like family.
a life well lived
In 2018, Glenis was inducted into the Supercars Media Hall of Fame, an honour that recognised her extraordinary contribution to motorsport journalism. Two years earlier in 2016, she received the CAMS Media Service Award, recognising her decades of dedication to the sport. It was a fitting tribute to a woman who spent decades capturing the heart of Australian racing. But her real legacy wasn’t in awards or accolades—it was in the people she inspired, the stories she told and the way she lived her practical faith every single day.
Glenis left behind a body of work that will continue to be treasured by motorsport fans and journalists alike. Her photographs remain a visual history of Australian racing, her writing a reflection of a life shaped by faith and passion.
For Glenis, motorsport wasn’t just about the speed or the spectacle. It was about the people, the stories and the moments that mattered. In every frame she captured, as in every article she wrote, her faith was there, steady, unwavering and always in focus.
