Brimbank council is taking part in a pilot campaign to help tackle the issue of ageism.
The #OldisBeautiful project began with a workshop for older residents to explore ageism and what beautiful means to them.
During the next few weeks, locals will see photographic portraits of older residents and their statements from the workshop on posters at council libraries and community centres and on social media as part of the initiative.
One of those portraits features the face of 84-year-old Brimbank resident, Kusuma Gunarathe.
For Kusuma, the idea of ‘beautiful’ is something that comes from within.
“Happiness is the most important thing in life. You need a healthy mind and a healthy body. When you are happy on the inside your face becomes very beautiful, your body is relaxed… you can be beautiful at any age,” she said.
Kusuma said the best piece of advice she can offer on growing old is simply learning to let go.
“When you don’t have any worries then your mind is relaxed, and your face then reflects your inner beauty. When you have beautiful thoughts your words become beautiful and so on,” she said.
The #OldisBeautiful project is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing, a charity combating ageism and building respect for older people.
Pilot coordinator and director of Celebrate Ageing Dr Catherine Barrett said the decision to include Brimbank in the pilot workshops is in part due to the wonderfully diverse’ nature of the municipality.
“The project creates an uplifting space for older people to build a positive self-image by exploring what beautiful means to them. We call this ‘hair and make up for the soul’ because you can feel people’s spirits lift as we reclaim beautiful for all ages – and that influences what they take to the photo shoot,” she said.
The Victorian pilot is a partnership with Elder Rights Advocacy, an organisation promoting the human rights of older Victorians, who recognise the role of the campaign in primary prevention of elder abuse.
Elder Rights Advocacy chief executive Debra Nicholl said project challenges the messages sent by the fashion and beauty industry that, “we are less beautiful and of less value as we age.”
“This is an innovative approach to of building the confidence of older people – and educating the community about valuing older people and valuing our own ageing. These are important steps in primary prevention of elder abuse,” she said.
Details: celebrateageing.com/beautiful.
