In late 2017 the Health Issues Centre (HIC), partnering with Council on the Ageing Victoria (COTAVic) and the MAV, sought expressions of interest (EOI) from councils to host their “Unspoken: What Will Become of Me” event in 2018.
Unspoken incorporates art, culture, community conversations and forums. It was created to engage the general public in uncomfortable conversations about ageing, diminishing capacity, loss of independence and end-of-life choices.
It also raises public awareness of three critical government end-of-life initiatives: The Medical Treatment and Decisions Act, the new Victorian Palliative Care Framework and the proposed Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill.
Unspoken comprises of eight installations and includes forums by COTA specifically on the three end-of-life initiatives. This free event occurs over three hours with three sessions scheduled over the two days.
In 2016, the Health Issues Centre (HIC) was commissioned by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to engage the general public in uncomfortable conversations about ageing, diminishing capacity, and loss of independence and end-of-life choices.
They created the performance art event: “Unspoken: What Will Become of Me?” This was staged to wide acclaim at the State Library Victoria during seniors month in October 2016.
Greater Shepparton City Council Team Leader Assessment & Inclusion Services Jason Watts said "This is an event that uses art and culture to generate awareness and conversation around end of life conversations particularly in relation to palliative care, voluntary assisted dying and advance care planning. These conversations are personal and for many people, difficult to instigate or navigate.
The event aims to create awareness and understanding of these concepts; to create a safe space for attendees to consider options for the future and the implications of not planning ahead; and knowing how to access good quality resources. Through Unspoken: What will become of me? the themes of ageing, declining capacity, diminished autonomy and sense of identity are explored gently.”
To find out more about the art installations, forums and performances please visit https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/unspoken-what-will-become-of-me-tickets
