A light-filled room overlooking the Halls Head coastline was recently filled with colour, laughter and joy as residents, families and carers gathered to celebrate The Creative Age — a powerful pilot project bringing art, storytelling and connection to aged care residents in Mandurah.
Presented by the City of Mandurah and produced by Community Arts Network (CAN), The Creative Age is a wellbeing initiative designed to nurture creativity, strengthen social connection and improve emotional wellbeing among seniors living in aged care.
Led by artist Sandy McKendrick and CAN producer and artist Tegan Jenkins, the program invited residents from Mercy Place Mandurah and Brightwater The Cove, to take part in a series of hands-on workshops exploring memory, culture, family, food and identity. Using collage and storytelling, participants created vibrant placemat artworks — rich in history, humour, resilience and cultural heritage.
A Celebration of Stories
The final celebration event captured the spirit of the project perfectly. Colourful collages adorned the walls, reflecting the many memories shared throughout the workshops. The long tables, beautifully decorated with fresh spring flowers and confetti, became the heart of the room as residents, families and carers gathered for a delicious meal provided by producer Tegan Jenkins.
When local musician Robert Graham began performing crowd favourites such as Pretty Woman and Love Is in the Air, the room came alive. Guests clapped, sang and danced — some even kicking off their shoes to join in.“It was our hope that people would dance, but we weren’t sure it would happen,” said Tegan. “Then one participant asked for help to get on the dance floor — and soon everyone followed. It was such a beautiful, moving moment.”
Improving emotional wellbeing through creativity
The project’s impact has been profound. For participants, the workshops became more than just art-making sessions — they sparked joy, confidence and connection.
“These creative sessions have clearly become about more than art,” said the City’s Arts Development Officer Tanja Schumann. “They’re about feeling seen, valued and connected. It’s a real privilege to witness participants opening up and sharing memories they haven’t spoken about in years.”
“This project has given Mum another lease on life,” said Denise, daughter of participant Fay Diable. “It’s got her back into creating and given her a purpose every single day. We are so grateful to have our mum back again. We thought we had lost her — you guys saved her.”
For artist Sandy McKendrick, the transformation was tangible. “You could see people light up as they told their stories and created their artwork. It reminded us all that creativity has no age limit — and that every story matters.”
Following the success of The Creative Age, the City of Mandurah is already looking ahead to 2026 — with plans to develop another creative wellbeing project focused on supporting a different vulnerable demographic in Mandurah.
Inspired by the transformative outcomes of connection, confidence and joy seen through The Creative Age, this new initiative will continue to explore how creativity can nurture emotional resilience, build stronger relationships, and enhance overall wellbeing.
Through collaborative workshops, storytelling and shared creative experiences, the project will create inclusive spaces where participants feel valued, heard and connected to their community. By nurturing artistic expression and social connection, this next chapter aims to strengthen wellbeing across Mandurah — proving once again that creativity has the power to uplift lives, spark belonging and bring people together in meaningful and lasting ways.
