Tackling Ageism

On May 11^th an Australian Movie Premiere of the Movie Duty Free was screened by the City of Unley at the Capri Theatre as part of Volunteer Week .

In the film, Rebecca Danigelis, a British immigrant living in Boston, is fired from her job as a hotel housekeeper at the age of 75, she is financially and emotionally devastated. Her adult son, Sian-Pierre, is living in New York City, trying to work his way into the competitive world of TV journalism. With his mother’s reality crashing down, Sian-Pierre resolves to leave New York, and the life he expected to lead, to help his mother get back on her feet. As Sian-Pierre looks for ways to support Rebecca, he gives her an adventure spanning two continents that uncovers a surprising family saga, a story that reveals the compromises and injustices placed on single mothers, the persistence of sexism and ageism, and the difficult dance of duty and freedom where the older and younger generations come together. 

This film aimed to educate about the ageism that can prevent economic participation, dispel misconceptions about finances for the older generation and enhance empathy between different age groups 

The City of Unley Co housing for Ageing Well project has been instrumental in advocating for change in State Planning and Design Code in order to allow more flexible housing options that could assist older people to age in place.  For more details see Cohousing for Ageing Well.

The Active Ageing Alliance have made connections with the new Youth reference Group to consider multigenerational activities that can be facilitated through the City of Unley Cultural Plan over the next five years.