Tackling Ageism Together

Image of residents pledging to tackle ageism together

EveryAGE Counts in Melbourne's East

Monash Council has joined forces with six other eastern Melbourne councils to tackle ageism across the region. 

Ageism is stereotyping, discrimination and mistreatment based solely on a person’s age. When it is aimed at older people, ageism comes from negative attitudes and beliefs about what it means to be older.

Ageism exists when someone is considered ‘too old’ for something like a job or promotion. Essentially, it is a lack of respect for older people. It affects people’s self-confidence, quality of life, job prospects and health. At its extreme, ageism contributes to elder abuse.

For more information about ageism watch the below short video 'Imagine a world without ageism' from the EveryAGE Counts campaign (narrated by Bryan Brown) or check out this great TED talk 'Let’s end ageism' by Ashton Applewhite.

 

We have an ageing community and are committed to tackling the issue of ageism. To that end, we have developed a joint campaign with six other councils that is designed to raise awareness about ageism, challenge the stereotypes of what it is to be older, and encourage people to speak up and take action.

The campaign is coordinated by the Inner East Primary Care Partnership with support from the Victorian Government. The seven councils involved are Boroondara, Knox, Manningham, Maroondah, Monash, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.

The campaign ties into and supports the national EveryAGE Counts campaign.

It is also supported by the Eastern Community Legal Centre and the work the centre does to prevent elder abuse through the OPERA project.

There are many ways you can get involved and learn more:

  • Watch the ageism videos
  • Take the ‘Am I Ageist?’ quiz
  • Sign the pledge to stand for a world without ageism
  • Take a photo with your signed pledge and post it on social media with the hashtags #EndAgeism and #TacklingAgeismTogether (remember to tag Council in the post so we can share it)
  • Speak up and start a conversation when you hear someone being ageist.

Monash Council is the first metropolitan council to sign the pledge to “stand for a world without ageism where all people of all ages are valued and respected and their contributions are acknowledged. We commit to speak out and take action to ensure older people can participate on equal terms with others in all aspects of life.”

Together we are striving for a region without ageism. We want to celebrate older people as a diverse group, with diverse interests who contribute an enormous amount to our communities, families, organisations and economy. 

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