Past Programs
Ageing - 2008
Taking the Waters... in Moree
23/11/2008
There is an ancient tradition of taking the waters at natural hot springs. It continues today at Moree in flat, dry, north-western New South Wales. Each year hundreds of thousands of eastern Europeans journey to the hot pools of this very old style, Australian country town in search of health and rejuvenation.
The annual spring and autumn visits by the Europeans feel ritualistic; Hungarians, Croats, Serbs, Greeks, Bulgarians, Italians, Turks... The visitors immerse themselves each day, sometimes for hours, interweaving their lives and sharing tales about the miracles performed by the waters.
They are mainly old. Many of them have been living in Australia for more than forty years. They often speak little English and perhaps because of this, word of the wonders of Moree's waters have not permeated the wider Australian community.
The faces of the people taking the waters in this story are as marvellous as their voices and we have created an audio slideshow, as well as a separate photo gallery, to share them with you.
Half of me is missing
02/11/2008
Every year, across the country, around 55,000 older Australians enter nursing homes on a permanent basis. Of these, many will have a partner who's cared for their loved one over months and sometimes years, but exhaustion sets in, their own health suffers, and they can't continue. The result is that after a lifetime together, couples find themselves separated - at the very time that companionship and shared memories are so important.
Pauline, Bill, Nina and David are all experiencing this scenario. David still lives in the home he shared with his wife, Nina lives with her daughter, they both travel to the nursing home daily, a punishing schedule in itself, leaving them little time for other things. Pauline and Bill both live in the same retirement village as their partners, but in separate accommodation because of differing care needs.
They all express disappointment and sadness that at this time in their lives there's no real alternative for them but to live apart.
Mr Universe Mows My Lawn
20/07/2008
Henry West is 62 and for the past 15 years he has dedicated himself to the sport of amateur bodybuilding. He has been unrelenting in his devotion to this physical pursuit and his efforts have paid off.
In 2006 Henry travelled to Austria where he took out the Mr Universe Men Over 60 title. However, that wasn't enough, Henry is still at it and recently took part in the 2008 Southern Hemisphere Championships at the Southport RSL on the Gold Coast.
Street Stories spent time with him during his rigorous preparations at the gym and in the kitchen and we travelled with him for the big event.
Watch a Mr Universe video in MP4 [18.1MB] or Windows Media Video [17.1MB]
