Welcome to Embolden
Embolden is a National Festival (Congress, Symposium, Art based events) combating ageism and building respect for older people. Our goal is to build the capacity and confidence of service providers, policy makers, community leaders and older people to accelerate the pace of change. The annual Festival brings key stakeholders together to learn from each other and produce resources that accelerate the pace of change. For information on past events, see the Embolden Festival webpage here.
The Embolden 2025 Festival
The Embolden Congress and Symposium are free and hosted online to enable wide participation. The exhibitions and art-based activities will be hosted in locations around Australia. Registration through Humantix is free, or you are invited to pay a registration fee if you can afford it (suggested amount $20-$50). Please note, you need to register separately for Congress (link) and the Symposium (link).
Theme: Same, Same - But Different Ageism
A framework for understanding ageism across diversity
The #Embolden2025 Festival explores ageism across generations, cultures and the intersections of power and privilege. We propose the 'one size fits all' approach to combating ageism has limited efficacy - because ageism is experienced differently across generations, genders, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ability, geography and financial status.
We need to understand the places where ageism and other forms of marginalisation meet; and we need to recognise differences and build awareness of commonalities. To achieve this we will explore how:
We need to understand the places where ageism and other forms of marginalisation meet; and we need to recognise differences and build awareness of commonalities. To achieve this we will explore how:
- gerontism differs from youthism
- ageism differs across generations of older people
- ageism is experienced by marginalised groups of older people
- to balance a focus on differences and commonalities
Congress online (1st October, 1-4pm)
The Congress of Older People’s Voices from the Margins creates opportunities to hear from older people from marginalised groups, to build better understandings of ageism, marginalisation and strategies for change. After several plenary presentations, Dilnaz Billimoria will help to lead a conversation on reaching marginalised groups. Presenters include:
- Aunty Becky Thomson OAM, revered Quandamooka Elder (link)
- Ageing in a very remote community: Roz Blacket, Winton Resident in conversation with Sally Fraser, Specialist Advisor Western Queensland Primary Health Network (link)
- Ageing with autism: Sandra Thom-Jones, Autistic Professor (link)
- Living with Dementia: Dennis Frost, Richard Taylor Award Reipient 2025 (link)
- Ageing in an African community: Fatmata Fofanah
- Shifting from 'hard to reach' to 'hardly reached': Dilnaz Billimoria, Multicultural Honour Roll Inductee (link)
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Symposium online (2nd October, 1-4pm)
itsThe Symposium explores ageism across the generations and the intersections of power and privilege. We propose a 'one size fits all' approach to ageism has limited efficacy - because ageism is experienced differently across generations, genders, race, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, ability, geography and financial status.
The symposium begins by exploring how ageism differs across the lifespan. We then present a framework for understanding the characteristics of the ageism experienced by older people - including the context, determinants, levels of influence, dimensions and impacts. We suggest these characteristics need to be considered in strategies for prevention. A draft framework will be presented to delegates for discussion.
Plenary presentation
Professor Kate Burridge explores the language used to describe ageism and identifies a lingusitc gap related to older people. The term gerontism is proposed as an opportunity to clarify how ageism differs across the lifespan and how a shift in our language could convey precise meaning and lead to more effective culture change.
Mapping ageism across diversity
Dr Catherine Barrett outlines a Framework for Mapping Ageism Across Diversity and introduces the following presenters to explore its application:
One service - may groups and geographies
Matilda Marsh and Narelle Kerr from ADA Australia will share their reflections on applying the Framework across the many geographies and groups of older people in Qld - to promote person-centred services and the rights of all older people.
Discussion
Delegates are invited to provide feedback on the Framework structure and its application to services, groups and organisations.
The symposium begins by exploring how ageism differs across the lifespan. We then present a framework for understanding the characteristics of the ageism experienced by older people - including the context, determinants, levels of influence, dimensions and impacts. We suggest these characteristics need to be considered in strategies for prevention. A draft framework will be presented to delegates for discussion.
Plenary presentation
Professor Kate Burridge explores the language used to describe ageism and identifies a lingusitc gap related to older people. The term gerontism is proposed as an opportunity to clarify how ageism differs across the lifespan and how a shift in our language could convey precise meaning and lead to more effective culture change.
Mapping ageism across diversity
Dr Catherine Barrett outlines a Framework for Mapping Ageism Across Diversity and introduces the following presenters to explore its application:
- Outback Queensland: Sheridan Hammet, Coordinator Aged Care Western Queensland Primary Health Network (link) and Jo Winkleman, ADA Link Community Coordinator/Aged Care Advocate, ADA Australia (link)
- Shia Moslem woman's experience
- Living with dementia: Dr Kristina Chelberg, Dementia Australia Research Foundation Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney (link) and Kate Swaffer, PhD Candidate at University of South Australia, Co-founder Dementia Alliance International (link)
- Gay men: James Keightley, Advocate, ADA Australia (link) and Tony Robertson, Civic Journalist
- Older men: Russell Westacott, Aged Care Council of Elders (link) and Dubhg Taylor, Advocate and Poet (link)
- Older women: Renee Huish, Optomistic Pathfinder and Rochelle Beatty, Celebrate Ageing
- Trans people: Kathy Mansfield, National Older Person Reference Group Member (link).
One service - may groups and geographies
Matilda Marsh and Narelle Kerr from ADA Australia will share their reflections on applying the Framework across the many geographies and groups of older people in Qld - to promote person-centred services and the rights of all older people.
Discussion
Delegates are invited to provide feedback on the Framework structure and its application to services, groups and organisations.
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Intergen Kindness Pop Up, Daylesford (11th October 2-4pm)
The Intergenerational Kindness Pop Up in Daylesford includes a film launch and exhibition of messages between older and younger people. We are grateful for the support of Elder Rights Australia on these important projects:
- Letters of Love and Dementia: two short films (5 mins) document an exchange of letters about love and dementia - between men living with dementia, their children, grandchildren and care partners. The project humanises the experiences of living with dementia
- GenB: an exhibition of messages between older and younger people - the messages promoted body positivity and highlight how much we have to learn from each other.
Photo essay
We are calling on intergenerational pairs for a photo essay using clothing to explore intergenerational connection – and subvert ageism. The Same, Same photoshoot will be held in the Melbourne CBD on Saturday 25th October 2025 between 12-4pm. For more info, check the Same, Same webpage here
Old is Beautiful exhibitions
Over the past year we have been delighted to work with organisations on the #OldisBeautiful project - from Yarra and Bayside to Cairns, Brisbane, Winton and Mount Glorious, we look forward to sharing the October launch events with you.
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The Biscuit Tin launch
It has been a big, wonderful year for #TheBiscuitTin project, with feature stories on 9news, New Idea, The Australian Women's Weekly, The Senior and more. We are delighted this project has been taken up in many states/territories and look forward to sharing City of Ballarat's launch with you.
Past Festivals
Please go to the Embolden webpage (here) to read about the previous festivals or click the links below for:
Evaluation
Embolden was launched in 2018 (here) with an event at the St Kilda Town Hall - repeated the following year (here). We returned in 2023, after a Covid enforced break, with an event in rural Victoria. Since then we have moved online to ensure our events are as accessible - with a shift from 450 people at live events to over 900 online.
Our events attract a mix of delegates, mostly service providers (60%), community leaders and older people. Evaluation of the event has consistently shown scores of 6+ out of 7 for usefulness, relevance, new learning and practical application.
Our events attract a mix of delegates, mostly service providers (60%), community leaders and older people. Evaluation of the event has consistently shown scores of 6+ out of 7 for usefulness, relevance, new learning and practical application.
Previous partners
We are grateful to all the organisations and services who supported our past events, including Elder Rights Australia, Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN), Australian Association of Gerontology, ADA Australia, The Older Women's Network NSW, QueerSpace Drummond St, Council on the Ageing, City of Port Phillip's Older Persons Consultative Committee, the National LGBTI Health Alliance's Silver Rainbow LGBTI Inclusive Ageing and Aged Care, the Victorian Government through their Multicultural Festivals and Events Program, Elder Abuse Action Australia, Communities of Respect, The City of Port Phillip, Alfred Health and Caulfield Health; The City of Ballarat; The Care Page; The National LGBTI Health Alliance; Hammond Care Dementia Centre; Seniors Rights Service; Switchboard Victoria; The Ageing Revolution; Aged Care Matters; Better Place Australia; Meaningful Ageing; Bayside City Council; Glen Eira City Council; Knox City Council; and COTA Victoria.
Contact us
Please contact curator Dr Catherine Barrett on 0429 582 237 or email: [email protected]
Embolden Partners
Embolden2025 is an initiative of Celebrate Ageing Ltd. We are delighted to announce our first partners, ADA Australia, Elder Rights Australia, Compass and Older Women's Network of NSW.
