This project has given mum another lease on life. It’s got her back into creating and it’s giving her a purpose every single day. It’s just mind-blowingly beautiful. We are so grateful to have our mum back again. We thought we had lost her. You guys saved her.

– Denise, daughter of The Creative Age participant Fay Diable

A light-filled room overlooking the coastline at Halls Head was filled with colour and joy for the celebration of The Creative Age, a powerful pilot project that invited residents of aged care facilities in Mandurah to connect with creativity, memory, friends and family.

Proudly displayed around the room were the artworks, collages in mid-century pastels with pops of more vibrant lemons and scarlets, featuring an array of whimsical images drawn from the artists' memories of food, family and place. Dressed up for the occasion, the artists themselves – residents of Mercy Care Mandurah and Brightwater The Cove, Mandurah – sat at two long tables, decorated with lavish sprinkles of colourful confetti and glorious, fresh spring flowers, inspired by the many stories of residents’ previous gardens. Together with family members, friends and carers, the artists enjoyed a delicious meal provided by Creative Age Producer Tegan Jenkins.

When local favourite musician Robert Graham started playing classics such as Pretty Woman and Love Is in the Air, the dance floor quickly filled.

“It was our hope that guests would dance but we knew it might not happen,” says Tegan. “But participant Hannah asked me if I could support her to dance. She kicked off her shoes and others soon followed suit. It was such a beautiful moment.”

The Creative Age is a project that is designed to respond to the challenges faced by residents of aged care facilities, in particular loneliness and social disconnection. Feeling the palpable joy in the room – the lively chatter, the beaming smiles, the dancing bodies (whether seated or standing) – the project’s success in this regard was immediately obvious.

“This has been a beautiful day,” said participant Ann Robert at the party. “I have family close by, but I don't see many people. Things like this help us so we can live a life and live longer.”

For participant Fay Diable, the project has proved life-changing. When Fay moved into Mercy Care earlier this year, physically and emotionally scarred by surgery followed by months of recurrent hospital stays, her daughters didn’t think she had long to live.

“Mum was really scared. She wasn't our mum anymore. She was sad,” says daughter Denise.

“The staff at Mercy Care are beautiful. But the thing that made mum shine, and come out and be happy, was this project,” she says. “The fear from the beginning of the year has gone, and has been replaced with this really happy, social person. This project has given mum another lease on life. It’s got her back into creating and it’s giving her a purpose every single day. It’s just mind-blowingly beautiful. We are so grateful to have our mum back again. We thought we had lost her. You guys saved her.”

As for Fay herself, she couldn’t wait to take to the mic, to thank Lead Artist Sandy McKendrick and Producer Tegan Jenkins.

“I am absolutely gobsmacked,” she said. “I don't cry very often, but looking at what these two beautiful ladies behind me do … I just wanted to thank you both, so sincerely, for the beautiful food, for the entertainment. We never thought it would be something like this. And I won't say much more, because I'll burst into tears.”

Friend of participant Rosemary Rana and former aged care worker Mary McLean says that Rosemary has been talking about the project every week when she takes her to church.

“I think this project has just been wonderful for the aged care residents. It's a new activity in their day. They do lots of things, but nothing like art. And I think Rosemary really is excited about that. And I think all the others that I've seen today, they're all excited, talking about colour and getting dressed up.”

Explore The Creative Age book to see the vibrant and nostalgic artworks created during The Creative Age, presented alongside stories that introduce each artist and their relationship to their artwork. The book also reflections on the project by Producer Tegan Jenkins with CAN writer Nina Levy.
 

The Creative Age – A Creative Mandurah Wellbeing project is presented by the City of Mandurah and produced by Community Arts Network.

Pictured top: The Creative Age book // credit Duncan Wright