Our CEO Erin Timu, recently reflected on what an inspirational older person looks like, what ageing means to her, and how we can all be part of valuing older people more and making meaningful connections to make our communities richer.
As a proud Māori woman, I have always had a deep respect for older people. In our culture, older people are revered and respected. They are our leaders, and holders of knowledge and wisdom.
My grandmother Treve was a powerhouse of a woman and has always been my hero. She raised 13 children, then several of her 50+ grandchildren. She supported a husband who suffered severely from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after World War II, a battle that ultimately took his life, and carried on as the heart of our family. Right up until she passed away, she was not only our family matriarch, but a leader in both her community and church.
That’s why I feel so privileged to work for an organisation like Advocare, which every day empowers older people to have their voices heard, and live with dignity, choice and respect.
This year, Advocare celebrates 30 years of advocating for the rights of older Western Australians. And, as the Seniors Peak Body, we’re on a mission to flip the switch on ageing. We want to change the way people think, talk and act about growing older.
Because here is the thing – ageing is a privilege. Not everyone makes it to their golden years.
Yet too often, we associate ageing with frailty, decline, and what older people can no longer do. We need to focus and recognise the extraordinary wisdom, experience, resilience and contribution older people bring to our families, workplaces and communities.
We all have a role to play.
The World Organisation’s Global Report on Ageism found that one in two people are ageist towards older people. That statistic should make us all stop and think.
So, I would like to put out a challenge to you – for the next 48 hours. Check yourself.
What language are you using about your own age and the age of others? Are you focussing on perceived limitations of age, or are you seeing a person’s capabilities first?
I’ll be the first to admit I’m far from perfect! Even as CEO of the Seniors Peak Body, I catch myself sometimes. I think we’ve all been guilty of saying things like, ‘Oh, I’m feeling so old!’ or, ‘Wow, she looks great for her age!’ While these comments are not intentional or meant to cause harm, they can still contribute to reinforcing negative ideas about ageing.
That’s why I think this is something we can all take responsibility for – not by judging ourselves or others, but simply by becoming more aware of the language and attitudes we use.
And then, look around you and notice the amazing things older people are doing.
At last year’s WA Seniors Awards, we celebrated 14 wonderful finalists making an extraordinary contribution to our community. One of them was the Anne Moore, who at 74 had dedicated more than 30 years to transforming the Lucy Saw Association from a small, local refuge into a multi-site service supporting thousands of women and children escaping family violence.
Sadly, Anne passed away this year, but her incredible legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the lasting difference she made in our community.
Anne’s story is exactly why we need to celebrate and spotlight the contributions of older people – not just what they may need from our community, but what they continue to give to it.
As the Seniors Peak Body, Advocare is committed to ensuring older people have a voice, are listened to, and are included in decisions that affect their lives.
We want to help build communities where older people are respected, connected, safe and able to contribute in whatever way they choose.
That might be through paid work, volunteering, mentoring, caring for family, community leadership – or simply sharing the wisdom that comes from a life well lived.
So, let’s celebrate ageing, challenge ageism and recognise the incredible contribution of older Western Australians.
Let’s flip the switch on ageing – together.
Erin Timu, Advocare Chief Executive Officer
(Thanks to Have a Go News for publishing this article in their September 2026 issue).
