Mandurah knitters work their needles against elder abuse
Local knitters and crocheters, members of The Knitwits, have been stitching up a storm to help raise awareness and understanding of elder abuse through the state-wide Purple Road Project.
At the group's weekly crafting sessions at the Mandurah Seniors Centre, members made the flowers to contribute to their patch of the purple knitted road.
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This road symbolises the path towards a brighter, equitable and safer future for older people.
The Knitwits formed in 2012 and started making the flowers for the first time last year, contributing hundreds of flowers to the Purple Road.
This year, The Knitwits again made hundreds of flowers for the project, with each handmade flower telling a story of courage and perseverance and illustrating the challenges seniors face, which can include several different forms of elder abuse.
From humble beginnings in 2011, the Purple Road Project is now around 100m in length, with the collaborative artwork becoming larger each year.
Annually on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), sections of Purple Road from across the State join to represent resilience and solidarity and are often put on display to help spread awareness and understanding of elder abuse.
Mandurah's Purple Road artwork will be displayed at the Mandurah's administration building (June 16 – 20) and the Mandurah Aquatic and Recreation Centre (June 23 – 27) for the community to see.
Mayor Caroline Knight congratulated The Knitwits for their dedication towards helping to raise awareness in the community for an important issue.
'Older people have the right to feel safe, valued and respected, and this project is a really meaningful way we can stand together against mistreatment of older people,' Ms Knight said.
'With more than 32 per cent of our city's population aged 55 and above, we want to ensure Mandurah is a safe, connected, and inclusive community for older adults.
'We're in the process of applying for membership to the Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities through the World Health Organisation, which will help us to develop an Age-Friendly Strategy. It's important for us to create the most inclusive and supportive environment possible.'
The Mandurah Seniors Centre is hosting an afternoon tea on Tuesday, June 10 (1pm to 2.30pm) to support World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
Head along to create a felt flower to add to the Purple Road display. Bookings are essential via seniors@mandurah.wa.gov.au or call 9550 3799.
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