Spunk2019

SPUNK2019

Spunk is an attitude. It is about courage, determination, pluck, spirit, strength, fortitude, guts and grit. A spunk is also a sexually attractive person. A Fashion Parade called SPUNK is about not waiting for the world to be less ageist – it’s about living our lives to the full right here, right now. This is what we call Catwalks Against Ageism. We celebrate models of all shapes, sizes, skin colours, abilities, genders and sexualities - and this year our oldest model was 92.

Thankyou to our MCs and DJ for the night. Our main MC was Des Lonergan, a community leader from Wodonga. Artist in Residence, Janet Bromley introduced the Black is Beautiful Runway. LGBTIQ Community Leaders Antony McManus and Ron Van Houwelingen introduced the Closing Ceremony and DJ Magnus was our Master of Music.

A Fashion Parade called SPUNK is part of the Embolden Festival, an annual event building respect for older people.

Des Lonigan

Janet Bromley

Antony McManus and Ron Van Houwelingen

DJ Magnus (centre) and friends

On film

Film maker Chris Franklin has produced a film from SPUNK2019 and we are looking forward to sharing it with you - but will wait until after the ABC film comes out. Watch this space.

Dawn Quick & the Y-Tappers

Dawn Quick is an 87 year old tap dance teacher who teaches older women to follow their Shirley Temple-esque childhood dream to be tap dancers.

Black is beautiful

Aunty Marlene Scerri and Aunty Beryl Booth are celebrating traditional clothing of the Gunai people from Gippsland. Marlene, a textile artist, is wearing an Emu feather collar and Beryl is wearing a Possum skin cape. Aunty Marlene and Aunty Beryl are accompanied by Aunty Marlene's grand daughter Autumn
Models: Aunty Marlene Scerri, Aunty Beryl Booth and Autumn

Runway 2: Live life angels

This charming troupe of dancers love to dance and live life to the fullest. They represent the Love to Live program, which is a movement to music and happiness class for people living in residential aged care. The oldest dancer is 90. On the Runway, Chaz, Kenneth, Graeme, Harry, Laura and Glenice were wearing their biggest smiles and showing their best dance moves.
Models: Chas Volpato, Kenneth Weeks, Graeme Elliss, Harry Spencer, Laura Cook and Glenice Harrison.

Chas Volpato: We felt no restrictions and just let our rhythm flow

Laura Cook: Its good to go out of your comfort zone as thats where the magic is.

Harry Spencer: I get a real rise out of dancing in a troupe

Graeme Elliss: I get excited about my health, age and future and love to try new things.

Kenneth Weeks: Sir Dancelot never misses an opportunity to perform

Glenice Harrison: It was uplifting to perform for such an appreciative audience

Runway 3: Girls from Ipanema

The girls from Ipanema pay tribute to Peter Allen and allow their feet to follow the beatin of their hearts with their passionate persuasion for dancing. Modelling Rio-esque colours to lighten up our lives, their message is with ageing we are free at last, what a blast
Models: Sue Wilks, Lizzy Barrow, Robyn Benci and Pip Cassady

Lizzy Barrow: Fashion’s an expression of your personality. Like life, just “dive in and enjoy it!”
Pip Cassady: Whatever you wear-OWN IT!!!’
Sue Wilks: Fashion to me now is all about comfort and freedom. Freedom from the constraints of fashion
Robyn Benci: Age and size are only numbers. It’s the attitude you bring to clothes that make the difference!!

Runway 4: Leave your hat on

The talented milliners of The Millinery Association of Australia invite you to get up, grab your ticket, put your hat on, and walk together in the sunshine.
Models: Sandra Forrester, Wendy Stone, Marea Bright, Robin Rivett, Annette Anderson

Georgia Skelton, Katherine Cherry, Sandra Forrester, Annette Anderson, Wendy Stone, Robin Rivett, Maree Bright.

Wendy Stone: We are never too old to reinvent ourselves! Just enjoy the moment, go with the flow and have fun. Today is today ...what can I achieve tomorrow!

Sandra Forrester: You can do it! I hope that I can encourage others of my own age to get up and do what they think they can

Robin Rivett: Enjoy oneself, relax and above all get motivated

Marea Bright: It’s a walk in the sunny side of any street. Life is a journey and we have to put on your best to keep on

Annette Anderson: My first thought is how did I get talked into this. However I like to challenge myself and this is no exception. Forcing myself out of my comfort zone has kept me going

Runway 5: Philipina Maganda Ka

Models from Australian-Filipino Community Services are wearing outfits that represent Filipino culture and craftsmanship. They reflect truly a ‘Pilipina, Maganda Ka!’, which means, ‘you are beautiful’. The outfits include a Meztiza dress with intricate hand-embroidered floral patterns and ‘callado’; a Maria Clara Terno in a combination of machine embroidery and hand painted floral design with an embellishment of pearls and beads. The Barong Tagalog worn by men is made of hand-woven pineapple and cocoon fibre inspired by nature or ethnic design
Models: Demetria Reyes, Judith Capsis, Rose Poss, Aida Santos, Genoveva Hernandez, Lilia Bermudez, Maina Walkley and Ludy de llamas

It was wonderful to have a large group of Filipino models - the group had so much fun and their enjoyment was infectious. The models also included Demetria Reyes, our oldest model at 92 years of age.

Fe Gilies: I believe in the saying that life is beautiful as a senior. Life does not stop when you reach 74 - fun times begin

Ruby Ocampo: I consider it a privilege to be part of this event that exemplifies the diversity we share in a foreign land.

Gerry Ocampo: I am growing gracefully and with zest for life.

Lilia Bermudez: I will be proud, excited and feeling nervous. I will never thought at my age I would be one of the models in the event

Demetria Reyes: Staying healthy and happy, smiling and always positive in life.

Rose Poss: I’m proud to be here it’s my pleasure to be a catwalk model. Very exciting

Judith Capsis: I think of excitement and accomplished

Maina Walkley

Ludy de Llamas: I am comfortable and just express myself in my movements and actions

Genoveva Hernandez: I am representing our national costume which is a unique and beautiful one

Demetria Reyes: I am so amazed I will be participating in this event. I hope to baffle the challenge of ageing, not to fear, think positive!

Aida Santos: Fun and fashionable at my elder age

Runway 6: Sassy Sisters

Jill and Gillian have chosen black dance wear with gold accessories to celebrate feminine energy and optimism. The pair are sassy, in touch with their sensuality – and have come dressed as the best version of their selves – with a focus on laughter and the joy of life.
Models: Jill Stacy and Gillian Honey

Jill Stacey: I like the feeling of freedom at this stage in my life! I embrace my strengths and now find myself gravitating to music and fun-loving people. I like to smile, hold my head high and walk with a feeling of positivity!

Gillian Holley: I feel liberated - licensed to have fun. I love my life now - less of the career and more of the social life, travel and laughter.

Closing ceremony - Families with rainbows

Our closing ceremony features a celebration to warm your heart and remind us all what beautiful really means. Older LGBTI community members move down the Runway to Pharell William’s Happy – an anthem for anyone who has been through tough times. You are invited to clap along if you feel happiness is the Truth.

Key message

This year participants of the closing ceremony handed out cards with an important message about beauty (see below). The message is that: Beauty changes as we age but it not less. Celebrate your ageing and don't be defined by ageism, ableism, sexism, racism or LGBTIphobia.