The strength, warmth and story of ACH Group residents will form part of a national library of photographs aimed at challenging the stereotypes of ageing.
Picture Yourself, led by Tricia King at the University of the Sunshine Coast and funded by Creative Australia in partnership with the Australian Association of Gerontology and Comlink Australia, will deliver a free public image library authentically representing older Australians.
As part of the project, ACH Group, South Australia’s leading full service aged care provider, participated with residents seeing their finalised photos for the first time at an exhibition opening.
Dr Tricia King officially opened the exhibition of photos at ACH Group’s Residential Care Home Kapara on Friday 28 February.
Among those photographed are 100-year-old Yvonne Stewart who remains an active and engaged part of the Kapara community and the wider community.
Yvonne said she was delighted to be a part of the exhibition and said she still woke up every morning with a lot to look forward to.
“I feel very lucky that I feel well, am well looked after and still have a good group of family and friends around me,” Yvonne said.
Yvonne’s daughter Bernice Gordon said her Mum wasn’t what you would expect a 100-year-old to be.
“Mum just has such a great outlook on life, and she is still keen on staying fit and enjoying everything that comes her way,” she said.
“If there is something going on from playing a round of golf to going for a ride on a bike to doing a photography shoot, she’ll just say yes.
“If I get to 100, I hope I’m just like Mum.”
ACH Group Executive Manager of Customer Care Kate Dobie said participating in the Picture Yourself project was an obvious fit given its close alignment with ACH Group’s purpose of Good Lives for Older People.
“ACH Group is really passionate about changing the narrative around older Australians,” she said.
“I’m so privileged in my position to meet so many vibrant, strong and passionate older Australians who contribute positively to their community, friends and family.
“It is true that a picture is worth a thousand words and I’m confident that the Picture Yourself gallery will be a valuable resource to change the conversation around ageing.”
Dr King said the ACH Group images would be collated from photos of older Australians taken throughout Australia to create a free and accessible library of images.
“Picture Yourself works alongside older adults across Australia to challenge stereotypes and expand how ageing is seen and aim to reflect the richness and complexity of later life,” she said.
“I was delighted I got the opportunity to collaborate with ACH Group to create a series of authentic images of older South Australians.
“This collaboration demonstrates how creative partnerships can celebrate community and connection whilst reshaping public perceptions of ageing and of aged care.”
The Picture Yourself gallery is expected to go live in the coming months.