Unleash your inner Shakespeare this weekend at Byron Bay Writers Festival
Announcement posted by Feros Care 06 Aug 2015
Unleash your inner scribe this weekend at the Byron Bay Writers Festival by finishing the sentence “As I Age” on the oversized chalkboard.
This chalkboard is two metres high and 12 metres long, and hopes to inspire festival goers to share their thoughts on getting older.
The Wall is a community project of Feros Care and is intended to ignite thought and conversation about getting older. Feros Care wants the whole community to start talking about ageing, to break down attitudes and to prove that life doesn’t stop at 70.
Ms Jennene Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Feros Care said “This is one of the biggest and most provocative community campaigns Feros has ever done. We work hard to constantly challenge the perceptions and stereotypes of ageing. This installation is impossible to ignore, as is ageing!
“I urge everyone to help get the conversation started, get involved, have some fun, and chalk your comments on the Wall,” she said.
Feros Care has been supporting the Byron Bay Writers Festival as a platinum sponsor since 2013. The Feros Marquee will host an eclectic mix of Australian and overseas writers and speakers, including Festival exclusive, the Man Booker Prize longlisted author, Chigozie Obioma and panel discussion ’50 Shades of Grey: Ageing Well’.
“Ever since we opened our first aged care facility in Byron Bay 25 years ago we have maintained a close connection to the vibrant Byron Shire. Our ongoing sponsorship of the Byron Bay Writers Festival reflects our strong philosophy of community involvement – something we are incredibly proud of,” explained Ms Buckley.
Ms Buckley said there was an amazingly positive reaction to the Wall’s inaugural installation at Cooley Rocks On in May. Hundreds of people completed the ‘As I Age’ sentence with strangers taking time out of their day to share their comments with each other.
At the Wall’s first outing these were some of the comments chalked:
• …I will look in the mirror at my lines and be grateful for everyone of them
• …I want to let go of my fears and inhibitions, and live the life of my dreams
• ....I don’t want to be homeless
• …I live to love and be loved, and to embrace my future and freedom
• …I realise life is too short…be happy
• …I would like respect
• …Be happy and sexy
• …I ache
• …I do not giggle with a full bladder
“These comments aren’t always comfortable to read but they are the reality and by getting people to share their perspective, we can aim to make getting older better.
“In fact here at Feros Care we celebrate ageing. We have made it our mission to always challenge traditional thoughts and attitudes to aging, and help seniors live their best lives,” Ms Buckley said.
If you are at the Writers Festival, go and complete the sentence “As I Age …” and be a part of the community that creates a positive image and environment for old age.
The As I Age wall is part of a national roadshow to inspire conversation about ageing. It will be appearing at the Melbourne Writers Festival (20-30 August) and the Brisbane Writers Festival (2-30 September).
This chalkboard is two metres high and 12 metres long, and hopes to inspire festival goers to share their thoughts on getting older.
The Wall is a community project of Feros Care and is intended to ignite thought and conversation about getting older. Feros Care wants the whole community to start talking about ageing, to break down attitudes and to prove that life doesn’t stop at 70.
Ms Jennene Buckley, Chief Executive Officer of Feros Care said “This is one of the biggest and most provocative community campaigns Feros has ever done. We work hard to constantly challenge the perceptions and stereotypes of ageing. This installation is impossible to ignore, as is ageing!
“I urge everyone to help get the conversation started, get involved, have some fun, and chalk your comments on the Wall,” she said.
Feros Care has been supporting the Byron Bay Writers Festival as a platinum sponsor since 2013. The Feros Marquee will host an eclectic mix of Australian and overseas writers and speakers, including Festival exclusive, the Man Booker Prize longlisted author, Chigozie Obioma and panel discussion ’50 Shades of Grey: Ageing Well’.
“Ever since we opened our first aged care facility in Byron Bay 25 years ago we have maintained a close connection to the vibrant Byron Shire. Our ongoing sponsorship of the Byron Bay Writers Festival reflects our strong philosophy of community involvement – something we are incredibly proud of,” explained Ms Buckley.
Ms Buckley said there was an amazingly positive reaction to the Wall’s inaugural installation at Cooley Rocks On in May. Hundreds of people completed the ‘As I Age’ sentence with strangers taking time out of their day to share their comments with each other.
At the Wall’s first outing these were some of the comments chalked:
• …I will look in the mirror at my lines and be grateful for everyone of them
• …I want to let go of my fears and inhibitions, and live the life of my dreams
• ....I don’t want to be homeless
• …I live to love and be loved, and to embrace my future and freedom
• …I realise life is too short…be happy
• …I would like respect
• …Be happy and sexy
• …I ache
• …I do not giggle with a full bladder
“These comments aren’t always comfortable to read but they are the reality and by getting people to share their perspective, we can aim to make getting older better.
“In fact here at Feros Care we celebrate ageing. We have made it our mission to always challenge traditional thoughts and attitudes to aging, and help seniors live their best lives,” Ms Buckley said.
If you are at the Writers Festival, go and complete the sentence “As I Age …” and be a part of the community that creates a positive image and environment for old age.
The As I Age wall is part of a national roadshow to inspire conversation about ageing. It will be appearing at the Melbourne Writers Festival (20-30 August) and the Brisbane Writers Festival (2-30 September).