NEWS RELEASE
October 18 2002
Inspiring
book makes sense of life through memories
‘Those
who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’
George Santayana
A
new book to be launched tomorrow is a fascinating and inspirational look
at the memories of a diverse group of older South Australian men and
women.
Edited
by UniSA Associate Reseacher Win Haseloff, Memories:
Making Sense of Life, is a compilation of memories as told by the
people who lived them.
From
Hazel Howell – who has been blind from an early age but didn’t let
that get in the way of living a full life and mastering several musical
instruments – to Ken Tonkin’s account of his squadron’s 1943
Christmas before going into action in Burma, the voices tell different
stories but are connected by the sense of determination and hope which
runs through them all.
Compiled
over two and a half years from almost 100 interviews and discussions,
Haseloff says editing the book was an enlightening experience of mutual
learning.
“This is not my book – it
belongs to the people who have shared their stories,” she says. “These
people have overcome some major challenges – war, depression, drought
and illness – I think we can all learn from their experiences.”
“Memories are a part of our
character, they’re a part of our history and they’re sometimes the
only precious possession that many people have.”
A
former nurse, kindergarten director and lecturer and author of three other
books, Haseloff hopes the book will break down the negative stereotypes
associated with ageing.
“It’s time to revisit our
definitions of ‘the elderly’, to challenge our understandings. There
are stereotypes to be shattered and labels to be erased.
“Many
older people withdraw because they don’t want to be a nuisance, and
that’s sad. They are just longing to be recognised for the people they
are.”
Memories:
Making Sense of Life was published with the support of the University of
South Australia, Helping Hand Aged Care services and Doctors Safety Line
Pty Inc. The book will be
launched by Mr Jim Giles AM, National President of COTA, in the presence
many people who were participants in the the project, as well as Mr Ian
Hardy, CEO of Helping Hand Aged Care Inc, who wrote the foreword, and
David Klingberg, Chancellor of UniSA.
Media
Contacts:
Win
Haseloff (08) 8264 7703 email winh@senet.com.auCharlotte
Knottenbelt media officer, UniSA ph: (08) 8302 0578 Mobile: 0439 807 004
Email: charlotte.knottenbelt@unisa.edu.au
