{"id":1579,"date":"2026-02-02T04:27:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T04:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.whiddon.com.au\/yourlife\/?p=1579"},"modified":"2026-04-01T22:50:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T22:50:54","slug":"more-to-me-whiddon-challenging-australia-ageing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.whiddon.com.au\/yourlife\/more-to-me-whiddon-challenging-australia-ageing\/","title":{"rendered":"More to Me: Why Whiddon is Challenging the Way Australia Sees Ageing"},"content":{"rendered":"

At Whiddon, we see the extraordinary lives of older Australians every single day. We see the history, the courage, the resilience and the romance that lives within our residential care homes<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

We also know that society often struggles to see past the number of years a person has lived. That is why we are thrilled to officially launch our new campaign, More to Me<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This initiative sets the record straight. It challenges the stereotypes that suggest getting older is synonymous with decline. Instead, we are shining a light on the vibrant, multifaceted individuals who call Whiddon home.<\/p>\n

Learn About “More to Me”<\/a><\/div>\n

Why We Launched \u2018More to Me\u2019<\/h2>\n

Research by the Australian Human Rights Commission<\/strong><\/a> confirms that ageism remains a significant challenge in Australia. The reality is stark. Reports show that 90% of adults agree that ageism exists<\/strong>, yet it often goes unchallenged. Even more concerning is that 63% of older Australians<\/strong> have personally experienced ageism in the past five years.<\/p>\n

Too often, older people feel patronised or overlooked, with their rich personal histories ignored.<\/p>\n

The More to Me campaign addresses this gap directly. It provides a simple but powerful request: If you see age, you miss the person. Look again<\/strong><\/em>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Through this campaign, we are sharing the untold stories of four residents from across our homes:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Bill Kerr from Mudgee<\/a>:<\/strong> A former detective who spent his career protecting royalty.<\/li>\n
  • Holly Hart from Largs<\/a>:<\/strong> A dedicated mother and community pillar whose kitchen table was the heart of the neighbourhood.<\/li>\n
  • Ros Stanford from Narrabri<\/a>:<\/strong> A teacher who shaped generations of young minds in her country town.<\/li>\n
  • Sam Darke from Grafton<\/a>:<\/strong> A RAAF veteran with a surprising connection to Australia’s nuclear testing history.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    These stories remind us that the people in our care are teachers, protectors, creators and pioneers who have shaped the world we live in today.<\/p>\n

    Discover their Stories<\/a><\/div>\n

    A Message from our CEO<\/h2>\n

    Our CEO, Chris Mamarelis, believes that storytelling is the most powerful tool we have to bridge the gap between generations and build respect:<\/p>\n

    \u201cToo often, society sees aged care residents through the lens of decline rather than recognising the incredible lives they’ve lived, and continue to live\u201d<\/em>
    \nIn aged care, looking beyond age and recognising the person is fundamental. That belief sits at the heart of \u2018More to Me\u2019, a campaign that challenges assumptions and celebrates the lives, stories, and individuality of older Australians.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u201c…When we look beyond age and understand who someone is, we see people flourish, grow and thrive. Isn\u2019t that a basic human right, and what every person deserves at this stage of life?…\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    Discover the Stories Behind the Faces<\/h2>\n

    We invite you to look closer. Take the time to watch these videos and discover the incredible lives that continue to unfold within our homes.<\/p>\n

    By listening to these stories, we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the immense value our older loved ones bring to our communities. There is always more to the story, and there is always more to them.<\/p>\n

    Watch the trailer below and explore the ‘More to Me’ campaign<\/a> for the full stories.<\/strong><\/p>\n