Residents of Uniting’s retirement living communities in Leichhardt, Hawkins Place and McRae-McMahon Place, have penned a follow-up to their debut book, bringing more than 1,500 years of combined life experience into 83 heartfelt, funny and thought-provoking stories.
The First Thursday Memoir Writing Groups are part of a resident-led initiative featuring 18 residents from the communities, who gather each month to write and discuss stories that spark conversations, evoke memories and foster friendships.
Uniting McRae-McMahon Place resident and group founder, Leone Sperling, 88, said that one year on from the release of their first book, ‘The First Thursday Memoir Writing Group’, creative juices continued to flow, prompting the formation of a second group and a sequel to their initial release.
“Our first book was so successful, we distributed 300 copies,” Ms Sperling said.
“This year, we have 18 writers, 83 stories and 60,000 words. I am enormously proud of our achievement and had no idea that it would grow into something like this.
“It is very rewarding for writers to see their work in print. We are giving our children, grandchildren, other family members and close friends an opportunity to get to know us. We are telling them about ourselves in an honest, interesting and often emotional way.”
Ms Sperling said the group received a different topic each month to drive their storytelling, with themes in the upcoming book including luck, fear, education, independence, control, lust, loss, coincidence, people of influence and momentous events, all which unlocked valuable memories for the writers.
83-year-old Uniting resident and memoir contributor, Michael Barker (pictured, above), began documenting his family history as a favour to his children and grandchildren, but discovered more creative skills since joining the group.
“Our first task was to write something in the first person and present tense, something I had never done before in fifty years of reporting,” Mr Barker said.
“In writing these stories I re-lived the experiences and often became quite emotional. I was dealing with ‘skeletons’ which I had buried decades earlier. I was able to question my previous self and examine the set of values I had learnt from the experience I was describing.
“Memoir writing has become a mechanism not just for recording history, but for revealing the sort of person I am. The latter is of far greater value to my grandchildren, and will hopefully help them in future as they face their own challenges where they can ask, “‘What would grandfather have done?’”
Uniting resident and memoir contributor, Carole Bye, 91, said the group provided more than an opportunity to meet her neighbours and learn a new skill, but also the ability to unlock memories.
“Each memoir is a fascinating discovery. There is a wealth of wonder held in these sacred memories brought to life through our monthly themes,” Mrs Bye said.
“Writing these stories ignites your thoughts, feelings and emotions, in a way that you forgot about a long time ago. They are so much your own, but there is a desire to reconstruct them and knot the threads together.”
Ms Sperling said the group’s third collection of stories was likely on the way, with five months of new stories already waiting to be printed.
Uniting Leichhardt Village Manager, Olivera Krsteski, said the Leichhardt seniors community is a vibrant and supportive place where residents can connect and enjoy life together.
“Initiatives like the First Thursday Memoir Writing Group empower residents to express themselves, preserve their legacies, and foster meaningful friendships, enriching their daily lives,” Ms Krsteski said.
“These opportunities help residents live their best lives by promoting creativity, connection, and a sense of purpose within a caring and inclusive environment.”
To find out more about living at a Uniting retirement village, visit www.uniting.org/services/retirement-and-independent-living.
