Watch Insight’s episode, Growing Older, Loving Life, Tuesday 9 May at 8.30pm on SBS or on On Demand .
Growing older isn’t what it used to be.
Not according to researchers and a generation of Australians who are proving that the days of putting on a cardigan, and quietly retiring to the garden, are long gone.
Earlier this year, Janice Lorraine became the first woman to compete internationally at age 80 in natural bodybuilding, when she attended the world championships in Prague. She started competing when she was 56, and so far has won 14 international titles.
“Back then, if you’re old, you were supposed to look old and act your age. But today, people travel and do incredible things at an older age,” Janice told Insight.
“Before, they didn’t have those opportunities – they lived narrow lives and just became grandparents.”
Janice at the 2013 INBA World Natural Championships. Source: Supplied
“I’m a nana to two beautiful children but I’m about to embark on the rest of my life. As much as I love my kids and grandkids, I’m heading off in a motorhome and working my way around the country,” Kelli told Insight.
“Life is not a dress rehearsal. There is no second act – it’s my time to live”.
When Kelli’s ex-husband married a much younger woman, Kelli also realised she didn’t want to feel or look her age, prompting her to have Botox and plan for weight-loss surgery, to help with her health and to look younger.
“I want to feel better in myself and, I guess, in society women are expected to have a particular look about them,” Kelli added.
For 76-year-old businesswoman, socialite and reality TV star, Christa Billich, life is still full of fun, good friends, parties, tantric sex, and plastic surgery.
Christa and Charles Billich Source: Supplied
“We party more than a lot of young ones do, and we probably drink even more than they do,” Christa told Insight, adding that cosmetic procedures help her to look the way she feels – young and vibrant.
“I do it because it suits me and I'm not saying to anybody go and do the same. But I also feel that if a female [of] any particular age wants to change something or feels uncomfortable, or feels invisible, do it. I mean what does it matter? You're doing it for yourself. I love it, I'm all for [plastic surgery].”
According to social researcher, Neer Korn, older Australians are redefining growing older and bucking the expectations of previous generations.
“When you compare a 75-year-old today versus a generation ago, there’s a new attitude – it’s not the beginning of the end, but a new beginning," Neer said.
"They think, I’ve spent the past 30 years looking after my family and mortgage, now it’s finally my time. [So], if they’re still riding motorbikes, having fun and travelling, it’s no longer seen as a unique or an eccentric person doing it – it’s become normalised.
“Also, when you get to 60, many women just don’t care anymore what people think – the angst of your 30s isn’t there … One lady said to me you, ‘You know what? In my 60s I want to try new things, last week for the first time in my life I smoked a bong’.”
