Kyabram P-12 College students Tom Telfer, Matt Thurlow and Riley Arnold getting set up to interview Peter Walsh for their film. Photo: Andrew Mole.
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Three Kyabram P-12 students are using the international Focus On Ability film festival to raise awareness of dementia.
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Entering their film into the school section of the competition, they are hoping their entry might also become an award-winning production.
Tom Telfer, Riley Arnold and Matt Thurlow have been working with high-profile Kyabram dementia advocate Mick Simpson, who also appears in the movie.
Focus On Ability is a short film festival that will encourage the community to become more aware of the ability of people with a disability.
Performing arts teacher Sue Meeking has been working with the students and said Mr Simpson, who has been living with dementia for several years, had been an inspiration for the project.
Ms Meeking said the enthusiasm of the small production team, and their determination to provide a platform for everyone touched by this insidious disease, was infectious.
“Mick has been a driving force behind the story, but the three boys have been working for weeks to get this project up and running,” she said.
“The festival is judged by public vote, and we are urging everyone in the Kyabram community to get on board and support this important short film.
“It will be on the school’s digital platforms, as well as the community page, private Facebook pages and the Kyabram Community and Learning Centre page.”
Dementia advocate Mick Simpson, centre, with Riley Arnold, Peter Walsh, Tom Telfer and Matt Thurlow. Photo: Andrew Mole.
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The student team interviewed state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, who has been a long-term dementia advocate himself, as well as a strong supporter of Mr Simpson’s walks.
Mr Walsh said he recalled Mr Simpson’s first walk, from Cobram to Kyabram.
“He told me he was glad he did it, but it would be the last one,” he said.
Mr Walsh said it turned out to be the first of many, which included walks around Kyabram and Shepparton.
“Then he did one to Melbourne, and I was able to convince a lot of Melbourne media to cover his arrival on the steps of Parliament House in Spring St,” Mr Walsh said.
“He assured me that was the end of it, and threw away his shoes.
“And then he did it all over again. Mick truly is an inspiration for not just those with dementia, but also their families, friends and carers.
“In the film I was asked what do I want more people to understand about dementia and how do we make it better for people living with it in our community. I focused on the need for people to recognise this is not a challenge just for the elderly, and as one of the ‘invisible’ illnesses, it needs better understanding and awareness by people when engaging with others.”
The students also interviewed local doctor Caroline Shipley, who discussed the symptoms common to dementia and the advice she provided for diagnosed patients who came to see her.
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