Baked with love

The Biscuit Tin Project brings women together to share not just their recipes, but friendship, community and respect. And it's changing lives.

- SUE SMETHURST · PHOTOGRAPHY by JULIAN KINGMA

On a blisteringly cold Melbourne day, rollicking laughter and familiar hugs warm the kitchen of Strathdon House.

Little more than a year ago, the five spirited women gathered around this table hadn't met, but today they are firm friends, relishing the opportunity to catch up for morning tea.

Don’t be fooled though, the purpose of this gathering is anything but idle chatter. Over shared plates of Dilnaz’s Lemon Orange Jaggery Cake, KRin’s Burnt Butter Biscuits and Judy’s delicious Anzac Crispies, these women are participating in a groundbreaking program, The Biscuit Tin Project. They hope it will dispel myths about ageing and change the way older women in Australia are viewed, as well as provide an opportunity to support and connect with one another.

“Our generation were the ones who marched for women’s rights in Australia, we laid the path for equality for the women who followed us,” says retired educator Judy Dunn, 77. “I think we're setting the path again now, because unfortunately ageing has such negative connotations. It’s up to us to change the way society thinks about it.

“I really value this age and this stage of my life, and I know a lot of people who are out there living great lives. We need to get the message out that we have a lot to offer.”

Although women make an invaluable contribution to society throughout their lives, older women in Australia face a swelling tide of ageism and sexism. In response, the Older Women’s Network and Celebrate Ageing Ltd joined forces to launch The Biscuit Tin Project to raise awareness of this discrimination, and celebrate older women’s achievements and their value to society.