Julie was one of only six regional photographers from NSW selected by Art Pharmacy Consulting for the Family and Community Services (FACS) initiative.

The idea of the exhibition is to challenge the stereotypes many have about people who are ageing and show the different ways older people are participating in, and contributing to, their community.

Over the course of a few months, Julie sourced and photographed 18 people, the majority from the Mid Coast and one from South West Rocks. 

They needed to fit one of three categories – 50-65, 65-80 and 80 plus – and show a variety of cultures and backgrounds.

“It was easy for all categories except for the above 80 and you also had to consider the demographic. I included Aboriginal participants, one Anglo-Indian and a gay couple.”

She has submitted her photos along with a short story about each subject talking about their experiences and reflections on ageing.

Only 30 images (from more than 130) will be chosen for the exhibition. “There is however, talk of a book.”

Julie found it interesting to talk to people about their lives and even discovered things she didn’t know about people she’d known for years. 

“Friends I’d known for a good 20 years, we talked about things that I didn’t know. I learned a lot by asking questions.”

She said her subjects were very humble about what they have achieved.

“People over 50 have had a lot of life experience and that amounted to a lot of skills and I’ve found on the most part that they are doing a lot of things.”

One example is Betty, an 87-year-old who is living in a nursing home and who Julie found to be very positive and very active. 

“She walks every day and plays billiards in the nursing home. 

“She started using (the billiard table) and encourages others to use it as well. She is also an avid painter. She’s someone who is really adept to the art of ageing.”

The level of participation in activities and the engagement her subjects had with their community and others was something that stood out to Julie.

“They were all doers with different levels of abilities. Even the solitary people have a lot to do with other people.”

Julie said it has been a great project for her.

“As the name implies, it's about highlighting the positive aspects of ageing. 

“The more I look the more I have found. We all have a story of how to get by. 

“Some folk seem to cruise into old age better than others but basically anyone over 50 has managed survival skills they may not even be aware of. It's these skills that are really valuable and interesting and worth sharing. 

“They think they have an ordinary life but they have survived all kinds of traumas, depression and all kinds of highs and lows in life.

“So, I think it's not so much about achievements as about the art of ageing.

“I have a lot of affection for them all.”

For Julie, the opportunity to be involved in the project came through her connections with Manning Regional Art Gallery.

“Jane Hosking, (assistant director) from the gallery alerted me to the call out for regional photographers at least seven months ago and because I am not really scouting for work I sent a mild expression of interest.”

Julie said sometime later she received a phone call to say she was selected and she got to work.

The exhibition will be shown in NSW Parliament House in March and then tour various regional galleries in NSW.