TALES spanning technological change, women’s empowerment and New South Wales’ natural beauty are among 100 literary masterpieces featured in Volume 11 of Seniors’ Stories launched on Monday.
Seniors’ Stories elevates the voices of seniors and provides a platform for older authors to reflect on the theme of Then and Now.
Readers are offered insights into authors’ youthful memories, changing times and life-shaping moments.
Cranebrook author Marie Nevin, who turned 96 in September, is the oldest contributor for this year’s edition. Marie’s story Ninety-Five Not Out vividly portrays her transition from childhood to embracing modern technology later in life.
“I was born in 1929 in Marrickville . . . I remember while driving there, the bottle‑O would come down the street in a horse and cart calling ‘bottle‑o, bottle‑o’,” she writes.
“I am now 95 years old. I like to go out and have coffee and cake . . . I have 34 grandchildren, 40 great‑grandchildren . . . I am thankful for having a mobile phone as it keeps me in touch with them all . . . I have an iPad which I use every day, playing word games to keep my mind active.”
For Marie, writing is a family affair. Her son-in-law Paul Ryan, from Emu Plains, also contributed a short story titled The Wharf.
Seniors’ Stories Volume 11 features nine stories translated to an author’s chosen language alongside English versions to reflect the cultural diversity of communities across the state.
Translated languages include Bengali, Cantonese, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Malayalam and Sinhalese.
More than 1100 personal stories of older people across New South Wales have been published in Seniors’ Stories since the NSW Government launched the initiative in 2013.
The program is open to all Seniors Card and Senior Savers Card holders and authors from all backgrounds and languages are encouraged to submit their work.
The Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW has led writing workshops to provide guidance and support for seniors seeking to share their stories.
More information on Seniors’ Stories is available at NSW Seniors’ Stories.
Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said Seniors’ Stories is a special publication which offers a glimpse into how the lives of older people in New South Wales have evolved over the years.
“It’s a celebration of the diversity and resilience of older people in New South Wales, and I’m delighted to see seniors from all walks of life have shared their stories,” she said.
“These books are a beautiful reminder that we all have a story worth sharing.”
