Embolden 2019 - You, Me, Us
The second Embolden Festival was held at the beautiful City of Port Phillip Town Hall in Sept 2019. It included a Fashion Parade, a Market of Great Ideas and a presentations event. Nine partner organisations and 50 volunteers supported the event with 61 presentations and over 400 delegates. The evaluations revealed an average rating of 4.8/5 for usefulness.
This archival page enables delegates and change makers from around the country (and around the world) to draw on the resources developed at Embolden2019. The presentations were centred around a series of Makeshops - like a workshop, but focused on making legacy documents to share lessons learned at Embolden2019.
Thanks to film maker Chris Franklin for the beautiful videos and to photographer Julian Meehan for the fabulous photographs.
This archival page enables delegates and change makers from around the country (and around the world) to draw on the resources developed at Embolden2019. The presentations were centred around a series of Makeshops - like a workshop, but focused on making legacy documents to share lessons learned at Embolden2019.
Thanks to film maker Chris Franklin for the beautiful videos and to photographer Julian Meehan for the fabulous photographs.
Theme: You, Me, Us
You, me, us explored the important role that interdependence plays in age friendly communities. It addressed a tendency for 'othering' those whose age, ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status, sexuality or gender are not the same as ours. It provided opportunities for participants to learn from each other and draws in a range of cultural groups to share stories and strategies about respect for older people. The theme acknowledged the importance of tackling the stigma and shame some older people experience in relation to their dependence on others and also explored:
- common-unity: it takes a village to achieve respect
- valuing independence and embracing interdependence
- learning from each other
- cross-cultural respect
- capacity building through partnerships
- what works - reflection on action.
A fashion Parade called Spunk
Spunk is an attitude. It is about courage, determination, pluck, spirit, strength, fortitude, guts and grit. A spunk is also a sexually attractive person. A Fashion Parade called SPUNK is about not waiting for the world to be less ageist – it’s about living our lives to the full right here, right now. This is what we call Catwalks Against Ageism. We celebrate models of all shapes, sizes, skin colours, abilities, genders and sexualities - and this year our oldest model was 92.
Thankyou to our MCs and DJ for the night. Our main MC was Des Lonergan, a community leader from Wodonga. Artist in Residence, Janet Bromley introduced the Black is Beautiful Runway. LGBTIQ Community Leaders Antony McManus and Ron Van Houwelingen introduced the Closing Ceremony and DJ Magnus was our Master of Music. The Fashion Parade has its own webpage, click the link here and also check out the video below.
Thankyou to our MCs and DJ for the night. Our main MC was Des Lonergan, a community leader from Wodonga. Artist in Residence, Janet Bromley introduced the Black is Beautiful Runway. LGBTIQ Community Leaders Antony McManus and Ron Van Houwelingen introduced the Closing Ceremony and DJ Magnus was our Master of Music. The Fashion Parade has its own webpage, click the link here and also check out the video below.
click here to go to the fashion parade page.
The first runway at the Fashion Parade featured Aunty Marlene Scerri (above right), Aunty Beryl Booth and Autumn celebrating traditional clothing of the Gunai people from Gippsland. Aunty Marlene wore an emu feather collar she made and Aunty Beryl wore a possum skin cape she made. Autumn's emu skirt was made by her great grandmother, Aunty Marlene.
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Learning from Aboriginal Elders about respect
We have so much to learn from Aboriginal culture about respect for older people and we are delighted to have this opportunity to learn from Aboriginal Elders. Presenters included
- Aunty Judy Jackson, a Gunggari woman and Elder and is regarded by many as the glue that binds the Aboriginal community in the City of Port Phillip
- Wendy Morgan, an Aboriginal Woman from the Dyiringanj People of Wallaga Lake that forms part of the Yuin Nation on the Far South Coast of NSW.
Market of Great Ideas
The Market of Great Ideas was hosted on the morning of the second day of Embolden2019. Thirty seven individuals, organisations and services shared their Great Ideas with others as they wandered around the Market. Thankyou to the five organisations that sponsored Market Stalls. To view the Market Guide, click the link here.
Leaders on ageing
In a world where we are pressured to join the ‘war against ageing', negative messages about ageing are internalised and gerontophobia can be more frightening than ageing itself. Four community leaders were invited to share their perspectives on what they value about ageing and invited delegates to celebrate their own ageing. Presenters included:
After the presentations we provided delegates with a blank postcards and invited them to document one thing they valued about their own ageing. See sample feedback in the images below.
- David Menadue, Journalist and HIV Activist
- The Hon Kay Patterson AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner
- Victor Perton, The Optimism Man
- Elizabeth Drozd, Australian Multicultural Community Services.
After the presentations we provided delegates with a blank postcards and invited them to document one thing they valued about their own ageing. See sample feedback in the images below.
Stories of faith and resistance
Four presenters shared their stories of faith and resistance, and the spiritual wisdom that can come with age. Presenters described how finding their core values enabled them to build the resilience they needed to get through extraordinary challenges (including LGBTIphobia) and empowered them to take action to improve their lives and the lives of others. Presenters:
Following the presentations, delegates were given a small 'compass card' printed with a message from Viktor Frankl:
everything can be taken from us but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude … to choose one’s way. Delegates were invited to use the blank side of the card to document their values as a compass for ageing. Following the presentations, three presenters spoke on film about their experiences. Two films were produced by film maker Chris Franklin and funded was provided by the National LGBTI Health Alliance's Silver Rainbow program.
- Coralie Naida Ling: Uniting Church Minister and Environmental Activist
- Joseph Carmel Chetcuti: barrister, solicitor in the State of Victoria, Catholic agnostic.
- Michelle McNamara: Academic, Buddhist
- Malloy: Influencer, Educator, Catholic
Following the presentations, delegates were given a small 'compass card' printed with a message from Viktor Frankl:
everything can be taken from us but one thing: the last of human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude … to choose one’s way. Delegates were invited to use the blank side of the card to document their values as a compass for ageing. Following the presentations, three presenters spoke on film about their experiences. Two films were produced by film maker Chris Franklin and funded was provided by the National LGBTI Health Alliance's Silver Rainbow program.
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Ubuntu - making respect happen
Five community members shared the core elements of respect for ageing and older people in their community. The term Ubuntu was popularised by Nelson Mandela, and refers to humanity towards others. Ubuntu translates as: I am because we are. Presentations highlight how respect is enacted and fought for - and what we can all learn from what works. Presenters include:
Following each presentation, participants were invited to document what they had learned as a Blue Print for communities that respect older people. See photos of speakers and Blue Prints below.
- Graham Downie, rural perspective
- Kevin Edmond, Burmese perspective
- Maina Walkley, Manager of the Filipinos Ageing in a Foreign Land
- Max Primmer, LGBTI community member
- Sam Marwood, from Cultivate farms on retiring farmers
- Boris Kaspiev for Caroline Carroll OAM, Chair of Alliance for Forgotten Australians.
Following each presentation, participants were invited to document what they had learned as a Blue Print for communities that respect older people. See photos of speakers and Blue Prints below.
A revolution in kindness for carers
In this Makeshop, the partners of people living with dementia demonstrated an innovation to promote carer wellbeing by spreading kindness. The session began with presentations by Dougbhlas Taylor and Anne Tudor and then participants were invited to reflect on: the Joy of Giving, The Power of Receiving and the Art of Letting go. The Makeshop was supported by: the City of Melbourne's Carer Support Program, Carers Victoria and Switchboard Victoria's Out and About service. Information from the session is being incorporated into a random acts of kindness project that will be launched in early 2020.
Love tokens
At the conclusion of the Kindness for Carers Makeshop, we modelled the significance of Random Acts of Kindness by presenting the partners of people living with dementia with a gift. The gifts were Love Tokens for Doughblas Taylor, Anne Tudor, Glenys Petrie and Karen Glennon; made by their partners. The gifts and concept were launched by John Quinn and Mr Anthony Carbines, Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and volunteers. See images below. Love Tokens webpage coming soon to our Museum of Love website.
Artist in residence program
A call out on social media for an Artist in Residence for Embolden2019 was shared almost 500 times and we were delighted Janet Bromley
Janet Bromley: I am an Aboriginal Contemporary artist. I started university in my 60th year and am now a Master’s Candidate in Visual Art. I decided to use recycled material in my art practice when I started to see the waste in my area of study. I want to make a statement about waste in our world. I also feel that recycled materials bring something of the past with them and enhance the work in its appearance and in the way that it hangs and moves. There is a strong element of my culture in the underpinning of traditional practice that drives my work and the act of gathering materials as my ancestors would have to make baskets and coverings. When I was working I didn’t have time for art – art was just my mental health saver. As I got older I realised I needed art back in my life; I realised I wanted to be creative. I noticed I have more skills now. I’ve lived a full and interesting life and my art gives me a way to express that. My voice and understanding of where I am coming from is much stronger. My art is a way of expressing who I am as a person. It’s a healthy thing to make art. I don’t feel like I need to answer to other people; this is for me. This is a healthy way to live in the world. At Embolden made a weaving using locally sourced recycled clothing to produce a landscape wall hanging. I also worked on a coil basket.
Leslie Kinney: I studied Art in the ’70’s and had exhibitions peppered through the 80’s and ’90's between tours as a performer. I love painting icons of Australia. In 1996 I mounted an exhibition called ‘The Bridge’, featuring prints and paintings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the Gannon house Gallery in the Rocks. Currently I am painting a series entitled ‘Wilderness’ which covers iconic wilderness areas of Australia, In particular focusing on aerial landscapes of Lake Eyre. Also included are earlier paintings of scenes along the Fish River and Southern Highlands as well as a recent painting of Uluru. I also work in fibre creating large sculptural wall hangings of Australian icons such as Jenolan Caves and Wentworth Falls and ceramic sculptures of animals.
Janet Bromley: I am an Aboriginal Contemporary artist. I started university in my 60th year and am now a Master’s Candidate in Visual Art. I decided to use recycled material in my art practice when I started to see the waste in my area of study. I want to make a statement about waste in our world. I also feel that recycled materials bring something of the past with them and enhance the work in its appearance and in the way that it hangs and moves. There is a strong element of my culture in the underpinning of traditional practice that drives my work and the act of gathering materials as my ancestors would have to make baskets and coverings. When I was working I didn’t have time for art – art was just my mental health saver. As I got older I realised I needed art back in my life; I realised I wanted to be creative. I noticed I have more skills now. I’ve lived a full and interesting life and my art gives me a way to express that. My voice and understanding of where I am coming from is much stronger. My art is a way of expressing who I am as a person. It’s a healthy thing to make art. I don’t feel like I need to answer to other people; this is for me. This is a healthy way to live in the world. At Embolden made a weaving using locally sourced recycled clothing to produce a landscape wall hanging. I also worked on a coil basket.
Leslie Kinney: I studied Art in the ’70’s and had exhibitions peppered through the 80’s and ’90's between tours as a performer. I love painting icons of Australia. In 1996 I mounted an exhibition called ‘The Bridge’, featuring prints and paintings of the Sydney Harbour Bridge at the Gannon house Gallery in the Rocks. Currently I am painting a series entitled ‘Wilderness’ which covers iconic wilderness areas of Australia, In particular focusing on aerial landscapes of Lake Eyre. Also included are earlier paintings of scenes along the Fish River and Southern Highlands as well as a recent painting of Uluru. I also work in fibre creating large sculptural wall hangings of Australian icons such as Jenolan Caves and Wentworth Falls and ceramic sculptures of animals.
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The role of art in ageing
This session, facilitated by Art Therapist Jackie Burden, explored the role of art in promoting wellbeing and ageing. Presentations included Rod Young, from Arts and Health Australia, our Artists in Residence and Saxophonist Susan Bradley. The Makeshop ended with participants being invited to make an art piece on their ageing, to demonstrate the accessibility and power of art.
Elder Leadership Academy
Embolden2019 finished with the announcements of two new Fellowships to the Elder Leadership Academy. Both Fellowships focus on building respect for older people by taking a gendered approach. Toni Paynter, Sally Conning and Kathy Mansfield are working to affirm the rights of Trans and Gender Diverse people to gender expression. John Quinn and Kieran Glennen are working on a project exploring masculinity and dementia.
Evaluation
Evaluation forms were completed by delegates at the end of Embolden2019. Delegates were asked how useful they thought Embolden2019 was – using a 5-point scale of: very useful (5), useful (4), moderately useful (3), slightly useful (2) and not useful (1). The average rating was 4.85. Alongside suggestions to improve future events, the following feedback was received.
- The best parts. Recognising how much ageism has impacted on me - unbeknownst to me. Re-focusing on my strengths, optimism. Enabling me to keep resource. Reigniting strengths to set up groups. What you've done is fantastic. Your groundwork has been brilliant. This opportunity to be here is so deeply appreciated. We felt we may have extended ourselves too far financially, but I believe the impact to us both has been huge. THANK YOU! We have eaten like Royalty and most importantly have been stretched and challenged. THANK YOU Catherine and Maria
- So many delightful aspects from the energy of the Fashion Parade to the thought-provoking talks on respect for elders and emotion-provoking love token stories. All 3 days were fabulous! How can we encourage more participation in the future? Especially from aged care service providers who could learn so much
- Thankyou for your friendly welcome to the Aboriginal Community and your NSW neighbours
- Real people, real stories
- I'm turning 50 this year and it has been wonderful to be around so much optimism when many around me focused on the 'worry' of turning so. This event has been a massive contradiction to the ageism we all live with. Congratulations - it's been a marvellous event. The Sunday night (fashion parade) was life changing. It is so hopeful for us all, no matter what age we are!
Green team
We believe that we all have a responsibility to reduce the appalling waste that happens at conferences and festivals. We also believe that addressing Climate Change requires people of all ages. So, we called for a Green Team, people aged 65+ to help minimise waste and environmental damage at Embolden. Monique Decortis answered the call. Monique is a sustainability consultant and co-chair of the Mullum Mullum Festival, a sustainably-run festival that annually celebrates the Aboriginal cultural heritage and ecological values of the Mullum Mullum Creek Valley. We worked with Monique to identify ways we could reduce waste, set up a GreenFest page and will build on this each year. Thanks Monique.
Thankyou
Embolden2019 would not have been possible without the generosity of so many people. A very big thank-you to you all for your support. A very special thank you to Maria Berry (below right) who co-curated Embolden2019. Maria's commitment to respect for older people is renowned. Thank you also to all the volunteers, you are amazing.
Partnerships
A very big thankyou to our primary sponsor: The Department of Health, and other partners: the City of Port Phillip's Older Persons Consultative Committee, the National LGBTI Health Alliance's Silver Rainbow LGBTI Inclusive Ageing and Aged Care, the Victorian Government through their Multicultural Festivals and Events Program, Older Person's Advocacy Network, Elder Rights Advocacy, Elder Abuse Action Australia, and Communities of Respect.