From fashion to farming: The over-50s influencers taking over your feed
From TikTok to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, social media platforms are offering older Australians a place to glow up and show us how to live at any age.
Covering areas including gardening, fitness, fashion, musings about everyday life and wellness, these five Australian social media influencers have a vivacity that leaps off mobile phone screens and show how you can be your best self in later stages of life.
Read more in The Senior
Marion Saunders
She might own a country pub made famous by Davie Bowie, but don't think this outback queen always walks around with an Akubra and boots.
Marion Saunders has her own online fashion boutique @mazlifestyle where she proudly models clothes aimed at older women to her more than 230,000 followers on Instagram.
It's not all glam; she also shows the funny side of life, including the struggle to apply makeup to wrinkly eyelids, plus her own parody of the characters Prue and Trude from Kath & Kim.
She is also the owner of the Carinda Hotel - home to David Bowie's Let's Dance music video - and takes you behind the scenes as the site is renovated.
Nick Rendina
Take a walk around a traditional Italian market garden with the grandfather - sorry, nonno - as he shows off his produce and traditional cooking.
Nick Rendina has amassed a big following online as he shows people his produce, recipes plus tips and tricks.
Among his videos, the Leeton NSW resident shares how to rejuvenate a stressed-out lemon tree and prepare to graft it with another variety.
He also shows how to cook recipes, including the pasta orecchiette (Italian for little ears) with zucchini flowers, and proudly shows off his tomatoes, eggplants and other produce.
Using the handle @thehappyharvesterstable, Mr Rendita has more than 170,000 followers on Instagram, 3000 on TikTok and 3000 on YouTube.
Marion Maclean
This former weight loss coach helps women see the fabulous side of life with her page filled with fashion, beauty and fitness content.
No sooner do you see Marion Maclean wearing a fabulous frock or lingerie, she's then doing pushups off a fence by the beach, sharing content she's created with collaborators, and posting messages of kindness.
Speaking with ACM in 2024, the Illawarra resident said feeling confident while ageing came down to "loving yourself and embracing the person looking back at you in the mirror", and accepting the wrinkles.
Today, she has more than 97,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 on TikTok with the handle @embrace_the_50s.
Robert and May Leong
Better known as @robandmay on social media, Robert and May Leong prove that you're never too old to laugh at yourself.
The Sydney-based couple make parody videos of pop culture references multiple generations can relate to, including a takeaway drive-through scene from the movie Dude Where's My Car, being in the top two of an Australian Idol grand final, and what a day in the life of a retiree looks like - including practicing modern slang grandchildren might use.
They have a strong following with more than 101,000 followers on Instagram and 56,000 on TikTok.
Kaye Cleave
This storyteller had no intention of going viral when she started an Instagram account, but knew she had a message to share about ageism.
Kaye Cleave uses the platform to tackle issues including ageism, plus how to normalise conversation about grief and loss, and how to stay present as people age.
It's also a place where the Adelaide resident shares simple exercises people can try to maintain strength, mobility and flexibility.
But there's also a lot of lightness as she makes videos, including doing a handstand to climb into a car, dancing freely on a beach, and tackling a kid's outdoor playground.
She has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram at the handle @ageingdisgracefully_
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
From TikTok to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, social media platforms are offering older Australians a place to glow up and show us how to live at any age.
Covering areas including gardening, fitness, fashion, musings about everyday life and wellness, these five Australian social media influencers have a vivacity that leaps off mobile phone screens and show how you can be your best self in later stages of life.
Read more in The Senior
Marion Saunders
She might own a country pub made famous by Davie Bowie, but don't think this outback queen always walks around with an Akubra and boots.
Marion Saunders has her own online fashion boutique @mazlifestyle where she proudly models clothes aimed at older women to her more than 230,000 followers on Instagram.
It's not all glam; she also shows the funny side of life, including the struggle to apply makeup to wrinkly eyelids, plus her own parody of the characters Prue and Trude from Kath & Kim.
She is also the owner of the Carinda Hotel - home to David Bowie's Let's Dance music video - and takes you behind the scenes as the site is renovated.
Nick Rendina
Take a walk around a traditional Italian market garden with the grandfather - sorry, nonno - as he shows off his produce and traditional cooking.
Nick Rendina has amassed a big following online as he shows people his produce, recipes plus tips and tricks.
Among his videos, the Leeton NSW resident shares how to rejuvenate a stressed-out lemon tree and prepare to graft it with another variety.
He also shows how to cook recipes, including the pasta orecchiette (Italian for little ears) with zucchini flowers, and proudly shows off his tomatoes, eggplants and other produce.
Using the handle @thehappyharvesterstable, Mr Rendita has more than 170,000 followers on Instagram, 3000 on TikTok and 3000 on YouTube.
Marion Maclean
This former weight loss coach helps women see the fabulous side of life with her page filled with fashion, beauty and fitness content.
No sooner do you see Marion Maclean wearing a fabulous frock or lingerie, she's then doing pushups off a fence by the beach, sharing content she's created with collaborators, and posting messages of kindness.
Speaking with ACM in 2024, the Illawarra resident said feeling confident while ageing came down to "loving yourself and embracing the person looking back at you in the mirror", and accepting the wrinkles.
Today, she has more than 97,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 on TikTok with the handle @embrace_the_50s.
Robert and May Leong
Better known as @robandmay on social media, Robert and May Leong prove that you're never too old to laugh at yourself.
The Sydney-based couple make parody videos of pop culture references multiple generations can relate to, including a takeaway drive-through scene from the movie Dude Where's My Car, being in the top two of an Australian Idol grand final, and what a day in the life of a retiree looks like - including practicing modern slang grandchildren might use.
They have a strong following with more than 101,000 followers on Instagram and 56,000 on TikTok.
Kaye Cleave
This storyteller had no intention of going viral when she started an Instagram account, but knew she had a message to share about ageism.
Kaye Cleave uses the platform to tackle issues including ageism, plus how to normalise conversation about grief and loss, and how to stay present as people age.
It's also a place where the Adelaide resident shares simple exercises people can try to maintain strength, mobility and flexibility.
But there's also a lot of lightness as she makes videos, including doing a handstand to climb into a car, dancing freely on a beach, and tackling a kid's outdoor playground.
She has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram at the handle @ageingdisgracefully_
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
From TikTok to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, social media platforms are offering older Australians a place to glow up and show us how to live at any age.
Covering areas including gardening, fitness, fashion, musings about everyday life and wellness, these five Australian social media influencers have a vivacity that leaps off mobile phone screens and show how you can be your best self in later stages of life.
Read more in The Senior
Marion Saunders
She might own a country pub made famous by Davie Bowie, but don't think this outback queen always walks around with an Akubra and boots.
Marion Saunders has her own online fashion boutique @mazlifestyle where she proudly models clothes aimed at older women to her more than 230,000 followers on Instagram.
It's not all glam; she also shows the funny side of life, including the struggle to apply makeup to wrinkly eyelids, plus her own parody of the characters Prue and Trude from Kath & Kim.
She is also the owner of the Carinda Hotel - home to David Bowie's Let's Dance music video - and takes you behind the scenes as the site is renovated.
Nick Rendina
Take a walk around a traditional Italian market garden with the grandfather - sorry, nonno - as he shows off his produce and traditional cooking.
Nick Rendina has amassed a big following online as he shows people his produce, recipes plus tips and tricks.
Among his videos, the Leeton NSW resident shares how to rejuvenate a stressed-out lemon tree and prepare to graft it with another variety.
He also shows how to cook recipes, including the pasta orecchiette (Italian for little ears) with zucchini flowers, and proudly shows off his tomatoes, eggplants and other produce.
Using the handle @thehappyharvesterstable, Mr Rendita has more than 170,000 followers on Instagram, 3000 on TikTok and 3000 on YouTube.
Marion Maclean
This former weight loss coach helps women see the fabulous side of life with her page filled with fashion, beauty and fitness content.
No sooner do you see Marion Maclean wearing a fabulous frock or lingerie, she's then doing pushups off a fence by the beach, sharing content she's created with collaborators, and posting messages of kindness.
Speaking with ACM in 2024, the Illawarra resident said feeling confident while ageing came down to "loving yourself and embracing the person looking back at you in the mirror", and accepting the wrinkles.
Today, she has more than 97,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 on TikTok with the handle @embrace_the_50s.
Robert and May Leong
Better known as @robandmay on social media, Robert and May Leong prove that you're never too old to laugh at yourself.
The Sydney-based couple make parody videos of pop culture references multiple generations can relate to, including a takeaway drive-through scene from the movie Dude Where's My Car, being in the top two of an Australian Idol grand final, and what a day in the life of a retiree looks like - including practicing modern slang grandchildren might use.
They have a strong following with more than 101,000 followers on Instagram and 56,000 on TikTok.
Kaye Cleave
This storyteller had no intention of going viral when she started an Instagram account, but knew she had a message to share about ageism.
Kaye Cleave uses the platform to tackle issues including ageism, plus how to normalise conversation about grief and loss, and how to stay present as people age.
It's also a place where the Adelaide resident shares simple exercises people can try to maintain strength, mobility and flexibility.
But there's also a lot of lightness as she makes videos, including doing a handstand to climb into a car, dancing freely on a beach, and tackling a kid's outdoor playground.
She has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram at the handle @ageingdisgracefully_
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
From TikTok to Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, social media platforms are offering older Australians a place to glow up and show us how to live at any age.
Covering areas including gardening, fitness, fashion, musings about everyday life and wellness, these five Australian social media influencers have a vivacity that leaps off mobile phone screens and show how you can be your best self in later stages of life.
Read more in The Senior
Marion Saunders
She might own a country pub made famous by Davie Bowie, but don't think this outback queen always walks around with an Akubra and boots.
Marion Saunders has her own online fashion boutique @mazlifestyle where she proudly models clothes aimed at older women to her more than 230,000 followers on Instagram.
It's not all glam; she also shows the funny side of life, including the struggle to apply makeup to wrinkly eyelids, plus her own parody of the characters Prue and Trude from Kath & Kim.
She is also the owner of the Carinda Hotel - home to David Bowie's Let's Dance music video - and takes you behind the scenes as the site is renovated.
Nick Rendina
Take a walk around a traditional Italian market garden with the grandfather - sorry, nonno - as he shows off his produce and traditional cooking.
Nick Rendina has amassed a big following online as he shows people his produce, recipes plus tips and tricks.
Among his videos, the Leeton NSW resident shares how to rejuvenate a stressed-out lemon tree and prepare to graft it with another variety.
He also shows how to cook recipes, including the pasta orecchiette (Italian for little ears) with zucchini flowers, and proudly shows off his tomatoes, eggplants and other produce.
Using the handle @thehappyharvesterstable, Mr Rendita has more than 170,000 followers on Instagram, 3000 on TikTok and 3000 on YouTube.
Marion Maclean
This former weight loss coach helps women see the fabulous side of life with her page filled with fashion, beauty and fitness content.
No sooner do you see Marion Maclean wearing a fabulous frock or lingerie, she's then doing pushups off a fence by the beach, sharing content she's created with collaborators, and posting messages of kindness.
Speaking with ACM in 2024, the Illawarra resident said feeling confident while ageing came down to "loving yourself and embracing the person looking back at you in the mirror", and accepting the wrinkles.
Today, she has more than 97,000 followers on Instagram and 10,000 on TikTok with the handle @embrace_the_50s.
Robert and May Leong
Better known as @robandmay on social media, Robert and May Leong prove that you're never too old to laugh at yourself.
The Sydney-based couple make parody videos of pop culture references multiple generations can relate to, including a takeaway drive-through scene from the movie Dude Where's My Car, being in the top two of an Australian Idol grand final, and what a day in the life of a retiree looks like - including practicing modern slang grandchildren might use.
They have a strong following with more than 101,000 followers on Instagram and 56,000 on TikTok.
Kaye Cleave
This storyteller had no intention of going viral when she started an Instagram account, but knew she had a message to share about ageism.
Kaye Cleave uses the platform to tackle issues including ageism, plus how to normalise conversation about grief and loss, and how to stay present as people age.
It's also a place where the Adelaide resident shares simple exercises people can try to maintain strength, mobility and flexibility.
But there's also a lot of lightness as she makes videos, including doing a handstand to climb into a car, dancing freely on a beach, and tackling a kid's outdoor playground.
She has more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram at the handle @ageingdisgracefully_
Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
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"But there are many other migrants who have come to this country since the book was written," Nicolazzo said. "They're experiencing the same discrimination and tensions that Josie faced." The production highlights important issues of acceptance and tolerance, and is relatable to a wide audience. Nicolazzo points to the story's universal recognition of concepts like having to deal with over-bearing family members or being spoken to in a certain way. "The people that watch it are sobbing and laughing because there's a familiarity to it that goes beyond nostalgia," he said. The show first graced Sydney and Melbourne stages in 2022 and has since undergone script changes to enrich one of Jose's love interests, John Barton. "The audience is getting the best version of the show, which is five years in the making," Nicolazzo said. Three new cast members have also joined the fold, including 23-year-old graduate Riley Warner, who plays Josie's knockabout boyfriend Jacob Cootes. The rising star is debuting in his first stage show, having met Nicolazzo as a student. "There's something about him that feels like a national audience needs to see him right away," Nicolazzo said. The show next appears in Sydney on June 11 before heading across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Nicolazzo hopes audience members take one key message from his production. "It's about finding freedom from the shackles of a culture that doesn't want you to be a part of It," he said. "That's a hard thing to do but we can only do it by making art and talking to people." Stephen Nicolazzo felt like throwing away his culture as a kid but is now using it to bring an Aussie classic to the national stage. Born of Melina Marchetta's iconic 1992 book and award-winning film starring Pia Miranda, Looking for Alibrandi the stage show has embarked on a first national tour. The story follows feisty protagonist Josie Alibrandi as she navigates her final year at a prestigious Catholic girls' school in Sydney. Along the way she finds her father, falls in love and grapples with her identity as a third-generation Italian growing up in Australia. It's an experience Nicolazzo shared as the grandson of Italian migrants. In primary school, the now 38-year-old was embarrassed to pronounce Italian words his classmates struggled with. "You want to throw away your culture and your ethnicity when you're younger because of all of the pressures of being discriminated against," he told AAP. "That's a really strange feeling because you lock away a part of yourself as a result of the pressures of expectation." The lived experience of young Australians from Italian cultures has improved over the past 30 years. "But there are many other migrants who have come to this country since the book was written," Nicolazzo said. "They're experiencing the same discrimination and tensions that Josie faced." The production highlights important issues of acceptance and tolerance, and is relatable to a wide audience. Nicolazzo points to the story's universal recognition of concepts like having to deal with over-bearing family members or being spoken to in a certain way. "The people that watch it are sobbing and laughing because there's a familiarity to it that goes beyond nostalgia," he said. The show first graced Sydney and Melbourne stages in 2022 and has since undergone script changes to enrich one of Jose's love interests, John Barton. "The audience is getting the best version of the show, which is five years in the making," Nicolazzo said. Three new cast members have also joined the fold, including 23-year-old graduate Riley Warner, who plays Josie's knockabout boyfriend Jacob Cootes. The rising star is debuting in his first stage show, having met Nicolazzo as a student. "There's something about him that feels like a national audience needs to see him right away," Nicolazzo said. The show next appears in Sydney on June 11 before heading across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Nicolazzo hopes audience members take one key message from his production. "It's about finding freedom from the shackles of a culture that doesn't want you to be a part of It," he said. "That's a hard thing to do but we can only do it by making art and talking to people." Stephen Nicolazzo felt like throwing away his culture as a kid but is now using it to bring an Aussie classic to the national stage. Born of Melina Marchetta's iconic 1992 book and award-winning film starring Pia Miranda, Looking for Alibrandi the stage show has embarked on a first national tour. The story follows feisty protagonist Josie Alibrandi as she navigates her final year at a prestigious Catholic girls' school in Sydney. Along the way she finds her father, falls in love and grapples with her identity as a third-generation Italian growing up in Australia. It's an experience Nicolazzo shared as the grandson of Italian migrants. In primary school, the now 38-year-old was embarrassed to pronounce Italian words his classmates struggled with. "You want to throw away your culture and your ethnicity when you're younger because of all of the pressures of being discriminated against," he told AAP. "That's a really strange feeling because you lock away a part of yourself as a result of the pressures of expectation." The lived experience of young Australians from Italian cultures has improved over the past 30 years. "But there are many other migrants who have come to this country since the book was written," Nicolazzo said. "They're experiencing the same discrimination and tensions that Josie faced." The production highlights important issues of acceptance and tolerance, and is relatable to a wide audience. Nicolazzo points to the story's universal recognition of concepts like having to deal with over-bearing family members or being spoken to in a certain way. "The people that watch it are sobbing and laughing because there's a familiarity to it that goes beyond nostalgia," he said. The show first graced Sydney and Melbourne stages in 2022 and has since undergone script changes to enrich one of Jose's love interests, John Barton. "The audience is getting the best version of the show, which is five years in the making," Nicolazzo said. Three new cast members have also joined the fold, including 23-year-old graduate Riley Warner, who plays Josie's knockabout boyfriend Jacob Cootes. The rising star is debuting in his first stage show, having met Nicolazzo as a student. "There's something about him that feels like a national audience needs to see him right away," Nicolazzo said. The show next appears in Sydney on June 11 before heading across NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Nicolazzo hopes audience members take one key message from his production. "It's about finding freedom from the shackles of a culture that doesn't want you to be a part of It," he said. "That's a hard thing to do but we can only do it by making art and talking to people."
