The ‘POW’ factor

By Kath Gannaway
THE ‘POW’ factor was huge on 17 August when more than 150 ‘older women’ were treated to all the hoopla and excitement of the Performing Older Women’s Circus.
Performing as POW, the diverse group of women put on a sparkling performance, and shared inspirational stories, as part of the Melba Community Support Project’s (MCSP) annual Celebrating Older Women lunch.
MCSP coordinator, Kath Holton, said the event “went off like a bang”.
The audience was made up of women from across the Yarra valley, including many from local nursing homes and hostels.
“It’s great to be able to have so many women come together to enjoy each other’s company, in many cases, catch up with people they have not seen for a while, and at the same time be inspired to celebrate their status as older members of the community,” Ms Holton said.
She said the message delivered by the performers at the event was to remain active, not be afraid of learning new things and to refuse to be stereotyped by ageism.
“It was a marvellous combination of entertainment and inspirational stories which sent a very powerful message that older people can still be engaged in various events in life,” Ms Holton said.