PRISM projects

The PRISM project is a collection of digital stories of older Maroondah residents. The series of videos aims to highlight the positive contribution older people bring to our community and to combat ageism by re-shaping the narrative, beliefs and attitudes towards older people. 

Videos

Barbara Watson

Barbara showcases her story of how she ended up in Maroondah and volunteering with local organisation, Maroondah Community Assist.

Jim Hurley

Jim Hurley has seen three generations of Maroondah locals grow up in his street. The Air Force veteran wanted to give back to the inclusive community he has been a part of for so long and ended up at the Ringwood Men’s Shed. Now the President of the group, he has seen participation grow from nine to 70 since he started.

Joy and Trevor

Joy and Trevor been happily married - and lived in Maroondah - for 47 years. Now enjoying retirement, the couple volunteer at U3A Croydon teaching computers and technology to the local community.

Chris Potsios

Chris Potsios came to Australia from Greece in 1967, and by 1976 he was calling Maroondah home. His love for gardening has him outside a couple of hours a day growing everything from olives to eggplants.

 

Phillip Hughes

Philip Hughes moved his family to Maroondah to enjoy all the local amenities and never left. Phillip now volunteers his time with Maroondah Interfaith Network, which he says has given him a new sense of purpose.

Geoff Kidd 

Geoff Kidd has called Maroondah home since 1985 and wouldn't change a thing. Since retiring, Geoff has become a tutor at the local University of the Third Age (U3A).

Jane Monk

When Jane moved to Maroondah, her family decided to start run street gatherings to meet the neighbours. That experience has transformed her experience in the community. She was one of the founding members of the Ruskin Park Resident’s Action Group and is committed to creating sustainable ways to live.

Chess Master

International Master, Guy West, continues his passion for chess as senior club coach of the Croydon Chess Club. His invaluable skills are helping grow the next generation of chess champions.

Julie Spencer

Thirty-seven years later, and Julie Spencer couldn’t be happier with her move to Croydon. With close proximity to public transport, and native trees surrounding her home, Maroondah has been a great place for her family to grow and for her to follow her passions of tennis and dressmaking.

Gwen Owen

Croydon local, Gwen Owen is always keeping busy. Now retired, she spends her days with her friends at the local U3A running a group called Explore Melbourne. The group gives the opportunity for socially disconnected people to enjoy a day out with likeminded people.

About the project 

The PRISM project is a digital storytelling project to combat ageism by sharing positive stories and images of older Maroondah residents as a means to change deep seated ageist beliefs, attitudes and behaviours in the community. The videos also put a face to the many older residents in Maroondah who keep the heart of the community beating through their volunteer efforts.

Council engaged Humankind Enterprises, who has significant experience in strategic storytelling and social connection with older people, to deliver the project,

Council has partnered with three local community groups, Maroondah Voice, Ringwood Movie Makers and University of the Third Age (U3A) Croydon and volunteers from each group have been trained by Humankind Enterprises, an experienced strategic storytelling and social connection multimedia company, to help tell their stories.

The trained volunteers will ensure sustainability of the project by using the skills acquired to create additional video stories of other older Maroondah residents. The COVID-19 restrictions has meant recent interviews were undertaken via video conferencing.

We will be delivering a total of 16 videos featuring older Maroondah volunteers over the next 12 months. 

Further information

For further information on the project, contact Council's Active and Healthy Ageing Coordinator on 1300 88 22 33.