GMS NEWSLETTER TWO, DEAR GREYS

Ageism has grown up since we first started 10 years ago.

The ageism topic is more talked about, noticed and shared. This is partly because of (for example) Hollywood stars, fashion labels using models and a wealth of ageism influencers hitting the social media airwaves. It’s also in part through the fantastic educational programs such as the Blue Zones philosophy and Netflix documentary, who looked at the regions with a higher portion of over 100 year olds through food, fitness, faith, friendship and being fearless.

But it’s also because of YOU.

Call it what it is, explain it away, muse or ponder on it, but people are “refusing to decline”, and they are certainly rejecting a narrow, 1950’s rhetoric of ageing.

Yes, there’s fear of being lumped into an aged care institution in the mix. But there’s also now a healthy curiosity about better ways to age and a determination not to be sidelined. Healthspan or joyspan, people simply put, wish to live a good span and be part of the mix.

So, if ‘older people’ are pushing back this hard, it’s potentially telling everyone that the current models of care, the main stream media landscape and the broader community societal expectations just aren’t keeping up with the Jones.

The other thought, is the tendency to make everything feel consistent, predictable, and god help us ‘acceptable’. Keeping the older population behind the scenes under a label of elder abuse, age care issues and systemic ageism, creates a narrative which perpetuates a societal norm. But as we know, communities don’t thrive on sameness. They thrive on texture and light, creative inspiration, wisdom and local self expression.

Meaning, when we normalise, we strip away the ability for creativity to emerge. I feel this deeply in South Australia in particular. When I go elsewhere or travel, the feeling falls away (maybe I should travel more or live elsewhere, but that’s not my point – we can do better).

The challenge for us as a community, even as a GreyMatter community, is to firmly grip what makes us unique, and to actively create space for people to shape it, demonstrate it and inspire our next generation. Give them/us hope for the future… without weight. With light.

An inspiration for you

We read this on the gram,

Shitty people do shitty things to you because they feel shitty about themselves, not because you deserve to have shitty things done to you.

So we flipped it…

Ordinary people do ordinary things in ordinary ways because they feel good about life and are driven by an ordinary subject, not because they want accolades.

In a world of shitty, be ordinary.

What can you flip?

Take care

Thank you for being here early.

That matters more than you might think.

— Charlie
GreyMatter.Studio

P.S. If there’s a story you think should be told—or a perspective that isn’t being heard—reply and let me know. This platform is being built in the open.

New on the website

Bel’s downsizing journey – 2 chapters so far!

Bel’s Diary of a Downsizer. Chapter 2: Decluttering, Decommissioning and Destroying

Charlie’s When Nature Rewrites You

Charlie “When nature rewrites you”

Two new ABS research studies

The Clock is Ticking—But Are We Moving Enough?

The Quiet Deficit in Our Diet

Next Storytelling Session

History Festival, Storytellers Make Connections.

Adults love stories, and Storytelling Australia (SA) is a group who love to tell and be told stories. Join us to hear tales of fascinating, inspiring, dramatic, or funny events and characters in the history of SA and Adelaide and the rich connections formed through times and places. Always fascinating and fun!

SUNDAY 24 MAY 1.45

Knightsbridge Guide Hall, Leabrook

Presented by Storytelling Australia (SA) Inc

Storytellers Make Connections

Events

Passport to Song, Sing for Joy ACH Choir (with Dorothy) 9 May, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Ticketek

History Hit Parade

Keith Conlon (“Mr South Australia”) and Steve Davis (“Mr Adelaide Show”) explore SA stories through song at the Mercury Cinema, featuring anecdotes and original music.

Sunday, 17 May, The Mercury, Humanitix $19.50

Silver Sirens Redefining Ageing – NATIONAL CONFERENCE – ADELAIDE 2026
Saturday 15 Aug, Pullman Hindmarsh Sq
https://www.silversirens.org/event-details/silver-sirens-redefining-ageing-national-conference-adelaide-2026

Mid North Antique Fair & Roadshow, hosted by Koonowla on Saturday 24 October, Koonowla Estate near Auburn.

But wait, there’s more

A great little share by Peter Leske
Silly Little Hat. A short film.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWg2_64CBO1/?igsh=NjFjeXd5bWtrcm1i

Interviews coming up…

Glenn (62). A song writer, poet… and auslan interpreter and Vision Australia Radio newsreader! No end to the talents obviously!!

Like the instagram posts for us ✔️
https://www.instagram.com/p/DXJz-L0keWY/?igsh=MWRrZmF5NzExM2Znbg==

Research Participants Needed

Healthy participants aged 30-80 are needed for a new study being conducted by Adelaide University researchers who are exploring the relationship between an imaging marker of Parkinson’s disease and body function. The hope is the information gathered can assist in earlier and more accurate diagnosis of the disease. To express interest, please contact Elio.Arruzza@adelaide.edu.au or call 83021241. More information here: https://au-participant-information-sheet.tiiny.site