Age-friendly Rockingham

The 10th anniversary of the Seniors and Carers Expo was held on Friday 11 October at Mike Barnett Sports Complex. The event included 150 stalls, various activities and entertainment (including Cycling Without Age), and 3,000 visitors attended. To see pictures from the event, visit the Seniors and Carers Expo page.

What are the cherished memories that have shaped you? Five local seniors have drawn incredible reflections together and in doing so have shed light on common connections we each have to places, people and communities.

Cal Swann, Anita Black, Pamela Rudling, Lorraine Smith and Klaus Michler each draw from the wealth of their individual experiences to breathe life into moments of time and celebrate the diversity of human endeavour.

When asked this question, we all reveal very different answers. In a society where, sadly, ageism and stereotyping associated with growing old still exist, we asked a range of community members for their thoughts on this question to get a conversation started around ageing. View the film clip below where participants revealed their answers to the question "What does being old mean to you?".

We hosted a series of eight memory writing workshops for seniors between October and December 2018. Facilitated by Rockingham Writers Centre, participants learnt new skills and knowledge that equipped them to reminisce and write parts of their life stories and memories.

Rockingham Writers Centre produced a 110-page anthology of participants’ short written pieces. Copies of the beautifully produced book are available at the City’s and State libraries. An electronic version of the book can also available.

 Read Memories, An Anthology

Seniors are invited to participate in the Seniors Social and Wellbeing Program held in Baldivis, Secret Harbour and Golden Bay. This program, facilitated by experienced Aqua Jetty trainers, provides an opportunity for seniors to engage in weekly physical and social activities in a friendly group setting at:
 

Baldivis Recreation Centre, Fifty Road, Baldivis:

• Mondays 10am–11.30am and Wednesdays 9am–10.30am

Coastal Community Centre, Tangadee Road, Golden Bay:

• Mondays and Fridays 9am–10.30am

Secret Harbour Community Centre, Oasis Drive, Secret Harbour:

• Commencing Tuesday 15 October 2019
• Tuesdays 9.30am-11am and Thursdays 9am-10.30am

Bookings are not required. For more information, please contact the Aqua Jetty on 9591 0888 or email aquajetty@rockingham.wa.gov.au. 

The Aqua Jetty is one of the City's and Western Australia's premier aquatic and health facilities.

The Livewell membership is for people over the age of 50. Find out more information about the Aqua Jetty and the Livewell membership.

We have a winner! Kelly Powell was the lucky winner of $500 for the selfie and description she submitted for the Selfie with a Senior competition. Her entry was a great example of honouring seniors and breaking down the stigma and stereotyping of older people.

Kelly wrote:
"I work for Coastal District Care Centre Emergency Relief. Most of our volunteers are seniors. They have taught me so many valuable lessons about life, friendship, love and acceptance. They buoy up our clients with caring, compassion and laughter and ask for nothing in return. I took this photo of three of our volunteers and myself to show the friendships and love that are created despite age differences and breakdown the stigma and stereotypes of old age. These people aren’t old, they’re the perfect example of vintage… better and valuable as they age."

Thank you to everyone else who also submitted their selfies and descriptions. It was a wonderful reflection on the deep respect and love out there for older people.

Seniors: the heart and memory of the community