Ita Promotes Positive Ageing

Ita (no surname required) has been involved in the media since she was 16 years old. She’s the daughter of an old-school newspaperman and is committed to celebrating and promoting positive ageing.

On the latest episode of ABC’s Home Delivery with Julia Zemiro, Ita takes us on a journey back to where she grew up in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

Among her roles as founding editor of Cleo and editor of The Australian Women’s Weekly, Ita was the chairperson of the National Advisory Committee on AIDS from 1984 until 1988 and in 2011, was elected as President of Alzheimer’s Australia. In 2013, she was named Australian of the Year.

Alzheimer’s and dementia is an issue close to Ita’s heart, with her father living with dementia later in his life.

She said, "It's dreadful to see someone you love just losing it and he knew it. Sometimes I'd go around and say 'How are you today, Dad?' and he'd say 'Well, if you must know I'm feeling a bit depressed.'"

When asked what she values most at 73, Ita replies, "Gosh, living I think. Life! Just being able to do the things I want to do."

Another matter Ita is passionate about is positive ageing. She is committed to promoting positive ageing in Australian society and says that age really is just a number.

"Age is just a destination in your life and you almost feel that getting old is some terrible fate. But in fact, not everyone does get to be old so if you get to be old I think that's fantastic. Life is here to be lived at whatever age you are.”

Click here to watch the full episode of Home Delivery with Ita Buttrose. 

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