About 40 people attended the official opening at Kempsey Shire Library where 87-year-old great grandmother Rita delighted the crowd by sharing her life experiences as a learner driver, gymnast and ukulele player.

Rita is one of the subjects featured in the exhibition, which is commissioned by the NSW Government to highlight the lives and contributions of extraordinary seniors and promote inclusive communities for all generations.

Residents have two weeks to view the exhibition which is on display at Kempsey Shire Library until November 16.

The 30 photographs on display feature seniors who have contributed to their local communities and are the work of five photographers from Wagga Wagga, Taree, Molong, Mudgee, and Goulburn.

The NSW Government is committed to addressing age discrimination by supporting initiatives that improve respect for and social inclusion of older people – particularly those that promote positive images of older people in the media, educate younger generations, provide opportunities for intergenerational connection and recognise older people’s contributions to their communities.

Minister for Ageing, Tanya Davies, said the exhibition aims to challenge perceptions of ageing and demonstrate the diversity and experiences of older people across the state. 

“Misconceptions about the lives of older people are prevalent in our communities, but the experience of ageing is unique,” Mrs Davies said.

“Many older people are artists, athletes, business owners, farmers and volunteers, and this exhibition challenges people’s perceptions." 

The 2018 Art of Ageing exhibition will travel to 21 locations through to July 2019 to inspire a positive vision of ageing as part of the NSW Ageing Strategy.

The exhibition’s artworks, stories and photographer biographies can be viewed online at https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/about/inclusion/ageing/art-exhibition