Diversity and Inclusion

International Day of Older Persons

"Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don't mind then it doesn't matter" Mark Twain

The Internation Day of the Older Person is the 1st of October.  This year it was while we were on school holidays.  The theme for International Day for Older Persons this year is “Digital Equity for All Ages” which affirms the need for access and meaningful participation in the digital world by older persons.  We would like to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions older people make to our community and society.

Our older people help us through their volunteer work and by passing on their knowledge and experience to the younger generation.  Their role in family care and the unpaid workforce is invaluable.

Who are our older people?

They are our grandparents, aunties, uncles, volunteers and neighbours.  They are heros who can be a source of inspiration for children and younger people.  Their stories of how they have navigated through their own lives can help younger people to see how they can overcome adversity and life's challenges.  Building positive relationships with older people from a young age reinforces how valuable our older people are.

Older people are our mentors and teachers.  They can encourage, inspire and show younger people how to learn from past mistakes and to chase their dreams.

How can we celebrate the older people in our lives?

1. Check in on your older neighbours.  You could phone or leave a note in their letterbox.  Older people are often on their own and can get lonely.  During these challenging times, it is all the more important to make sure our older people are cared for.
2. Look at photos of the older people in your family and ask them to tell what the story is behind the picture.
3. Ask the older person in your family to share a favourite family recipe or their special skill.
4. Send the older people in your family a letter or postcard to say thank you for their help and that they are appreciated.
5. Read a story that celebrates older people.

Yarrabah families, staff, and community!  We would love it if you could share a bit about your culture and background.  This could be a recipe, a story about where you have come from, a snapshot or artwork of your favourite celebration or custom, or anything else that will help us to learn about and embrace everyone and their differences in our community.  

We are all different, but we all want and need the same things. Love, friendship, and acceptance.

Send your contributions to Sharyn by email at yarrabah.sch@education.vic.gov.au .