Brown's Mart Theatre, Darwin

November 10-13, 1999

This full-length older adults cabaret, performed by the Grey Panthers, featured guest performances by the Filipino Seniors' Citizens Association. Reluctant Retirees (Taking the Plunge) took us on a journey of two women about to retire. One cannot wait and looks forward to the happy days, while the other fears the loss of herself through a lack of connection with her work world. Through song and dance, the women faced their fears and joys as they travelled through retirement to a time where there was never enough time to do everything that is on offer for the senior woman!

Director’s Notes – Merrilee Mills

Welcome. A show which we hope will offer a glimpse into some of the issues associated with retirement, and serve to illustrate some of the varying responses to what can be a difficult and challenging time.

The process of putting the show together over the last few weeks has been one filled with learning and with much, much laughter. My thanks go to the production team: to the ever-charming and unstoppable David McMicken, and to Neil, Eunice, Mandy, Ben and Yoris, for their fabulous support of the production. Special thanks to Sarah Calver, not only for her input into this piece but for the vision and commitment that brought the Grey Panthers project into being in the first place and ensured its continuity.

Of course, my greatest thanks go to the Grey Panthers. These are women who are constantly renewing and reinventing themselves. The histories they have had as vibrant younger women are continually repeating. Through their example, they urge us all to “take the plunge” – as they have – into a full and active life.

Cast member Adie Bruce talks about retiring

RETIREMENT

As a female of the species, employed in the Public Service, I automatically had to retire at the age of 65.

I had a formal retirement party, with the official presentation of a plaque and Territory Scarf by the then Attorney-General, Daryl Manzie and a very informal office "do" with a "Monkey" leaping over the counter to thrust a bottle of champagne and a bouquet of flowers, into my arms - lots of presents, lovely food, culminating in a trip to the Casino with all the girls (while the men held the fort for a change!). So my working life ended with a bang - after that, what??

I had dreaded retirement. I loved my job and was happy in the company of my workmates. I had superannuation and some savings -but would that be enough to live on in reasonable comfort? Because, of course, the one thing you don't know is how long you are going to live.

On the "things to do" side of things, I belonged to a Lawn Bowls Club and was a member of another couple of other organisations. I would look around for other things to do - perhaps be a bit fussier over the house cleaning, gardening etc. After all, I'd have loads of time on my hands!

That day had finally arrived - I was out of the workforce. The rest of my life began well. My employment ceased on a Friday - on the Saturday night, I served on a soft drink stall at the Darwin Rodeo, and the next day I was playing in a bowls carnival that lasted for 10 days. IT has just gone on from there.

I now belong to seven very diverse organisations, including the Grey Panthers - and I a volunteer for all sorts of things and am busier now than I have ever been. By the way, you guessed it - the house and garden don't get any more attention than they did when I was working.

The statement made on one of my gift cards on my last working day says it all -

"LIFE BEGINS AFTER RETIREMENT!"

Adie Bruce 1998
 

And a poem by Adie

Reluctant Retiree.

At age sixty-five, they said I must go 
I couldn't think why - because don't you know
I didn't feel any different from the day before 
When my years only numbered a cool sixty-four.

My brain, I know, is still just as active 
I've got very few wrinkles - I'm not unattractive
But - "sorry", they said, "we're afraid it's the law"
Then they politely but firmly showed the way to the door.

What to do now - empty hours stretched ahead. 
I was not  needed, how I wished I were dead. 
Then my mates rallied round, and they made me see 
There were dozens of folk in the same boat as me.

They said, we are not past it or on the scrap heap.
Things have just changed and we've taken the leap.
To that wonderful time that is called the third age.
Lots to do 'ere the curtain on our lives' stage
8.2.98
 

Creative Personnel

Director: Merrilee Mills
Executive Producer: David McMicken
Production Manager: Eunice de Ramos
Lighting Designer and Technician: Neil Macknight
Photographer: Yoris Wilson

The Performers

Lucy Aylett, Kath Baldwin, Kay Brown, Adie Bruce, Bette Chapman, Delicia Cooke, Jean Dempsey, Audrey Gorring, Kathleen Harding, Glad Morris, Greta Quong, Hanna Stamm, Audrey Svara, Mavis Waddell

Scenario

• Work
• Time Part 1
• The Retirement Party
• Retirement, Beginning To Find a New Way Of Life
• Taking The Plunge
• Time Part 2
• History Repeating

Tracks Dance 1999

Artistic Directors: David McMicken and Tim Newth
Administrator: Amanda Carlton

Inaugural Committee Members: David Taylor (Chair), Ken Conway (Vice-Chair) Chris Raynal (Treasurer), Rukshana Ramachandran (Secretary/Public Officer), Tania Lieman, Jackie Wurm, Kez Hall, Nick Papandonakis (Ordinary Committee Members), David McMicken and Tim Newth (Ex-Officio Members)