At Uniting AgeWell Preston Community, two hand-written cheques told a story much bigger than the figures printed on them. 

On Wednesday 9 September, residents, staff and guests gathered as Preston Community residents presented two $1,000 donations — one to Dementia Australia and one to The Fred Hollows Foundation. The money was raised through the community’s recent art exhibition, which showcased and sold works by resident artists, many of whom had never painted before moving into residential care. 

The exhibition featured artwork by 22 residents and reflected the joy, pride and wellbeing that can come from creative practice later in life. With encouragement, equipment and time, residents were supported to pick up a paintbrush, try something new and develop skills that surprised even themselves. 

For Shirley, 93, creativity sits alongside a lifetime of spirit and quiet determination. As a girl, her favourite gift was a cricket set, and she would take her bat and stumps to an oval near Northcote High School, gather teams and play while her father and uncle umpired. A talented left-arm fast bowler, she was even selected for Australia, though injury prevented her from taking the field. 

That same willingness to have a go has carried into her life at Preston Community. Through the art program, Shirley created four pieces for the exhibition and experienced the pride of seeing her work displayed, appreciated and sold. “I never thought I would sell a piece of art,” Shirley said. “It was wonderful to see people enjoy it.” Painting offered a new way to discover capability, confidence and connection. 

For Evelyn, art has become part of a life shaped by love, resilience and profound loss. Married to Leo for many years, she speaks of a long and happy life, as well as hardship, including the death of her son at 23 following a tragic accident while he was at university. She also survived a brain aneurysm and lives with a shunt that has helped her continue to live fully. 

Those experiences have deepened Evelyn’s belief in taking each day as it comes and staying open to new possibilities. When she moved to Preston Community, she embraced art with the encouragement of staff and teachers, finding not only a new skill but a renewed sense of purpose. “You can do things differently than you did the day before,” Evelyn said. “You can try new things.” She is also learning French from another resident — another reminder that curiosity, friendship and learning can flourish at any age. 

At the cheque presentation, Evelyn presented the donation to Marie Norman, National Relationship Manager for Dementia Australia, who said the funds would help provide education and support for people living with dementia and their families. Shirley presented the donation to Abhi Patekar, Partnerships Manager for The Fred Hollows Foundation, who said the funds would contribute to work supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples affected by preventable blindness. 

In that moment, the residents’ paintings became more than creative works on a wall. They became practical support for families seeking guidance after a dementia diagnosis, and for communities working to protect and restore sight. The donations showed how creativity can extend its reach — from a canvas, to an exhibition, to programs that make a real difference. 

The story of the exhibition is not only about art. It is about courage, learning and the joy of discovering that ability does not end with age. It is about staff creating the conditions for residents to try, practise and flourish — and about residents finding purpose in using beauty to make a practical difference for others. 

For Shirley, Evelyn and every resident artist who picked up a brush, the exhibition proved something simple and powerful: it is never too late to begin, grow, share your gifts — or find fresh purpose in the colour of a new day.