Book Launch

Sunday 18 September, 2022
at Our Lady of the Nativity School, Lawson, NSW.

This inspiring collection of reflections is written by 24 people, all aged eighty years or older and living in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales. 

They seek to foster constructive conversation about ageing and how to grow old well, they acknowledge the importance of listening to the voices of those who are making the journey into later life, and their observations refute many of the negative stereotypes that surround ageing prevalent in our society.
These reflections are authentic and courageous in opening topics that are sometimes hard to speak of publicly. They include sources of meaning, faith and spirituality, creativity, social engagement as well as grief, loss, dying and death. 

The reflections embrace examples of the wonderful ways in which individuals can overcome the hard things of life, leading to a new way of being. 

The contributors to The Wisdom of Age are pioneers in gerontology, telling the world what it is really like to continue to live well into later life.

To purchase The Wisdom of Age and see the Contributors and Contents go to Books for Sale/Our Collection.

Invitation to BMERT book launch of ‘The Wisdom of Age: Reflections on Growing Old in the Blue Mountains’
BMERT The Wisdom of Age: Reflections on Growing Old in the Blue Mountains.

The Wisdom of Age:
Reflections on Growing Old in the Blue Mountains
Edited by William W. Emilsen, Eugene Stockton.

Sunday 18 September, 2022 at Our Lady of the Nativity School, Lawson, NSW

Launched by Trish Doyle MP; the MC was Laurie Woods; speakers were Richard Morphew, Jacinta Shailer and William Emilsen

These reflections embrace examples of the wonderful ways in which individuals can overcome the hard things of life, leading to a new way of being. The contributors to The Wisdom of Age are pioneers in gerontology, telling the world what it is really like to continue to live well into later life.

Elizabeth MacKinlay (Professor of Ageing and Pastoral Care, CSU)

* * *

‘Life is not easy, and ageing is even worse’ – the stories of octogenarians collected in this book will challenge this saying. The authors do not deny the difficulties of ageing. Yet, their stories, so individual and hence inspirational, contain also little pearls of wisdom and beauty. The many personal reflections shed new light on ageing and, also are invitation to discover the serene joy and perhaps even bliss of ageing. I wholeheartedly recommend this wonderful book to a wider readership, particularly to the younger generation. 

Fr Joseph Lam (parish priest, St Finbar’s Glenbrook)