Australia Talks with Resthaven
Resthaven was pleased to be approached by producers of the ABC’s popular segment, Australia Talks, to identify older people who wanted to talk about discrimination in Australia – resulting in some interesting conversation on 21 May 2021.
ABC Producer, Lottie Naughton, organised filming of a segment involving approximately a dozen members of the public from diverse backgrounds and ages, between 18 -80 and over, two of whom were Resthaven clients.
The two clients of Resthaven Northern Community Services were excited to make their television debut on the program, which was filmed at the at Para Hills Football and Sports Club on Bridge Road.
‘Australia Talks is an ambitious initiative that seeks to capture a snapshot of the nation every two years – the first aired on the ABC in 2019,’ says Lottie.
‘The program is the culmination of a huge national survey commissioned by the ABC that canvasses the views of 60,000 Australians on a range of issues, most of which you would never find in the census.’
This year, the program wanted to gather the thoughts of older people, as they have a long life of wisdom to share on these important questions.
Both clients of Resthaven Northern Community Services, Mrs Jeanette Jamieson and Mr Richard Anderson, had a lot to say about their experience behind the scenes.
‘It was terrific, they asked lots of questions such as if we think the government is providing enough funds for disability or not,’ says Mrs Jamieson.
‘I thought so, but I know someone in a wheelchair who needs a strap to put across their body when getting on and off public transport and think they should fund for more things like that.’
‘This has been a great opportunity and I felt that the perspective of older people was respected and wanted.’
‘The questions were relevant but was more directed as a group debate rather than one on one. I didn’t feel that I could always put forward my personal opinion,’ says Mr Anderson.
‘The topic discussed was quite interesting and I am glad to have been a part of it.’
‘I am excited to watch the show and see how it all turned out!’
Established in 1935, Resthaven is a South Australian not-for-profit aged care community service associated with the Uniting Church in Australia.
Tune in to ABC TV at 8:00pm on Monday 21 June to see what they had to say.
Every day, Resthaven shares the lives and wisdom of older people and their carers, opening doors to the full range of aged care service options available.
Services are provided throughout metropolitan Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Riverland, Fleurieu Peninsula, lower Barossa region and the Limestone Coast of South Australia.