It was a day of rainbow colours, smiles and fun as close on 1,000 people visited Uniting AgeWell’s stall at the Midsumma Festival opening event in Melbourne on Sunday 22 January.
And the 180-stall event at Alexandra Gardens, bringing together a diverse mix of LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences, saw Uniting AgeWell shine as people gravitated to our stall.
The good weather, combined with the crowds attending the Chinese New Year festival processions and the tennis, saw the city buzzing, with a bumper turn out at the Midsumma Festival.
Our prominent rainbow dove and diversity flower icons and over 20 staff from all areas of Uniting AgeWell who volunteered their time and donned rainbow dove T-shirts, bright colours and welcoming smiles, were crowd-pullers.
A giant version of Uniting AgeWell’s diversity flower with petals bearing our values and illustrating our approach to diversity and inclusion, invited visitors to write up their comments about what is important as you age. Some of the many comments included “keeping fit and healthy”, “freedom, autonomy and silliness”, “life is for living” and “positive vibes.”
The “positive vibes” comment summed up the day as a whole. The stall attracted not only prospective residents, clients and their families, but also people keen to work at Uniting AgeWell which is fast cementing its reputation as an employer of choice.
Inquiries came in thick and fast, as a medley of over 800 gift bags, jelly beans and other information pamphlets were given to people keen to learn more about how to enjoy life and age well.
Uniting AgeWell’s Director of Mission, Rev Clare Brockett, answered many questions on the day about how the organisation ‘welcomes all’, and embraces all religions, beliefs, cultures and of course those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
While Lifestyle Manager Sharon Levey, who ensures that social interaction and care for those in our residential facilities is on a par with physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing, told visitors, “There’s lots of colour, life and love at Uniting AgeWell.”
Come down and support our team as we celebrate Pride throughout February at Midsumma Pride March in St Kilda and TasPride Parade in Hobart.
Learn more about how we recognise LGBTIQA+ experiences