Story telling is an ancient form of sharing our lived experiences and wisdom. This oral story telling tradition is shared with you here through video as our elders tell of their life experiences and reflect on their challenges, their joys, and what has contributed to them being who they are today. Feeling the vitality of the elders in these videos is an enriching experience which is sure to inspire.

​Come on a journey with Carmel as she shares how at the age of 70 she stays fit, keeps healthy and has fun. She states that working with people is how she likes to contribute, by living what she is learning. With energy and enthusiasm, she shares the long list of voluntary and paid jobs she has held over the years in the UK and Australia. Her latest job is full of fun, and it may surprise you.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

Do you wake with purpose every day? Susan shares how she found purpose at work through the importance of connecting with people every day, and also the purpose she has found in caring for herself as she underwent cancer treatment. How does one find purpose beyond self-care when diagnosed with a terminal illness? Learn the power of self-care for Susan and how this has inspired a further purpose in her to help others. 

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

Travelling with purpose might mean getting to see as many places as you possibly can in a given time, but what this traveller discovered was a much deeper journey of reflection and purpose. Susan shares how before setting out on her trip to Egypt, France and the UK, she had chemotherapy right up until the day before she set out, only to return in better health than when she left. She describes her trip as connecting with people and bringing more light and energy to her every step along the way. There were many places that caused Susan to pause as she realised “I have been here before”. She reflects on what this meant to her and the purpose in her every step. Enjoy Susan’s reflections on her travels and the surprising effect this had on her health.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

​There’s something very beautiful when a man talks about the importance of relationships in his working environment. Stephen has worked across different sectors, including education, corrective services and more recently, aged care. He shares his experience with us that when we open up to others and simply be ourselves, then others respond and open up too. The exchange enriches both parties and keeps growing. There is a wisdom here for everyone, no matter where you are in your working life, be it paid or volunteer work.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

​In this video Stephen describes how we often have pictures of work, what we’d like it to be or think it will be and how it can turn out to be something completely different. He had a picture around the glamour of teaching when he started out, but his work unfolded to be something quite different. He recognised that his purpose was to allow himself to be in the job that presents, whatever that may be and however close or far it is from his picture of what it would be. Find out what Stephen discovered about how purpose is given to us.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

When we’re younger there are a myriad of everyday demands that need our attention all the time. Shannon shares how this was for her and what has changed in the past five years. She says she now has a focus that doesn’t get disturbed by anything. What is it that supports her now, at the age of 41, to bring focus and quality to what she is doing and be able to say ‘yes’ to even more without becoming distracted by all there is to do?

Videographer & Editor Gayle Cue 

​What might a young girl and a woman in her seventies have in common when it comes to purpose? Can you remember what got you out of bed as a young child? Join Gayle on a journey through the decades as she reflects on how her purpose has changed with each stage of her life, until now, where she discovers she has come full circle.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

​Love, wisdom, joy and purpose. These are the ingredients that are meaningful for Lyndy, now in her early seventies. Living soulfully as an elder she feels her purpose is strong and ever expanding. As you will see when you watch this video from Lyndy, elders can still feel youthful, purposeful and of value to society whether retired or not.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue

Life is magical! Lyndy reflects on her journey of living with purpose. Leaving university teaching and relocating to the Northern Rivers, she turned to tutoring high school students and felt the unnatural mould of the syllabus. What can happen to a teacher when she questions the curriculum that students have to follow?

Watch Lyndy’s video to see how life is truly magical.

Videographer Shannon Everest, Editor Gayle Cue