Janet Stone, Anne Shaw and Margaret Carter celebrate their awards at Whiddon Moree’s inaugural Memory Support Unit Oscars. Margaret proudly shows off her “Best Storyteller” certificate. Photo: Moree Online News
Beautiful gowns, pearls, suits and ties were the dress code at Whiddon Moree on Wednesday, where residents and staff had dressed for an occasion weeks in the making.
A red carpet stretched through the Memory Support Unit towards a Hollywood-style backdrop, with residents, families, staff and guests gathered along either side. One by one, the stars of the morning were called forward to applause to receive an Oscar created especially for them.
But there was no Best Actor or Best Picture.
Alfred Duncan was crowned the Chocolate and Biscuit King, honouring his devotion to sweet treats and what staff described as an “unwavering commitment to never saying no to a biscuit”. Janice Bull was the Golden Voice, always ready to share a song, while Mervyn Smith’s quiet strength and gentle nature made him the Quiet Achiever.
Beatrice Orcher knows what she likes: a cup of coffee, a quiet smoke and no need to get too carried away with activities. That earned her the Keeping Things Simple Oscar, while Anne Shaw’s smile, kindness and gentle presence made her Whiddon’s Quiet Star.
Lola Smith’s Oscar captured another side of a personality staff clearly knew well. She was named Grumpy Until Someone Walks In for her ability to look thoroughly unimpressed, at least until a gentleman or child entered the room and changed everything.
Music is more likely to get a response from Pamela King. A gentle sway, a little twirl or movement to a favourite song earned Pamela the Dancing Queen Oscar, with staff telling her she was a reminder that “joy has no age”. Graham Maynard received the Gentleman Award for the kindness, politeness and warmth he showed to those around him.
Margaret Carter always has a story to tell, whether it happened yesterday, many years ago or perhaps somewhere in her imagination. Her ability to entertain those around her made her Best Storyteller. Nobody quite knew what might come next from Judy Duke, whose cheeky comments and twinkle earned her Cheekiest Performance.
Kitty Gall keeps an eye on everyone around her, making sure things are as they should be and offering helpful advice when required. Staff reckoned that made her Heart of Gold material, while Kay Gibbons’ laughter and smile earned her the Joyful Heart. Janet Stone was named Best Artist for the colour, imagination and creativity she brought to her artwork.
Robert Draper was still getting to know the faces, names and routines of his new home, so his award marked something different. Welcome to the Family was Whiddon’s way of welcoming its newest resident into the fold.
Then there was Alan Griffen, whose “I’ll Pass Thanks” Oscar recognised his habit of politely declining activities, knowing exactly what he did and did not want to do and, as staff put it, remaining “wonderfully true to himself”.
Alan had passed on attending the Oscars that morning.
There were no nominees and no losers. “Everyone is a star,” residents and guests had been told before the presentations began.
Organiser Julie Cartridge came up with the idea after deciding she wanted to do something specifically for people living with dementia. Whiddon would normally hold a barbecue involving everyone, Julie said, but this time she wanted to create something especially for people in the Memory Support Unit.
Residents had known the Oscars were coming and had been looking forward to the event for weeks.
“Quite often dementia people get overlooked, and because people think they’ve got dementia, they don’t know anything, but they do,” Julie said.
“I’d just like them to be aware that they are still people. They still can do lots of things.”
The opening address put the purpose of the morning in similarly simple terms. Residents, families and guests were told the Oscars were about “so much more than glamour, music and applause”.
“It’s about recognising that a diagnosis of dementia does not take away a person’s identity, their stories, their talents, their humour, their relationships, or their ability to experience joy,” the gathering was told.
“Some memories may become harder to find, but feelings, connections, and moments we share remain incredibly meaningful.”
Julie said staff came to know the people they cared for well, including what they liked, what they didn’t like and what could help when somebody was unsettled.
Another staff member pointed to the reactions as names were called during the ceremony.
“They were so involved and so committed,” she said.
The celebration was held ahead of Dementia Action Week, which runs from September 21 to 27 this year.
The conversation after the ceremony also turned to one of the harder experiences dementia can bring for families, when somebody no longer recognises a person they have known and loved for years.
Julie said repeatedly asking, “Don’t you remember me?” was something families should avoid. Instead, she suggested calmly introducing yourself and explaining the relationship, such as giving your name and saying you are the person’s granddaughter. If recognition did not come, Julie’s advice was to leave it rather than continuing to press the question.
Whiddon staff said changes in recognition could be particularly difficult for relatives as familiar relationships changed and a parent, grandparent, sibling or partner might no longer know who they were.
Moree Plains Shire Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse and Cr Debbie Williams joined residents, families and staff for Wednesday’s ceremony, with Cr Pearse helping present the Oscars.
Some walked the red carpet, some danced, some posed with their Oscars and others enjoyed the occasion from their seats. Alan chose not to come at all.
There was room for all of them.
