MONDAY MUSINGS
The Age
Monday February 22, 2010
Retirement? Not on the cards for this woman of a certain age, writes Denise Gadd. MICHAEL Leunig's Final Word drawing and comment in A2 the other Saturday was a cracker. It showed a woman of advanced years tied to two planks of wood in the shape of a rudimentary cross "hanging" guard over a vegetable patch.A man was explaining to someone with a querulous look on their face that it wasn't a real scarecrow just grandma who had been put back into the workforce to make use of her considerable talents. I'm not sure that Treasurer Wayne Swan had that in mind when he announced earlier this month that the government wants to encourage older people to remain in or re-enter the workforce in order to lift the projected labour force participation rate for 50 to 69-year-olds from 62 per cent to 67 per cent by 2050.I can say with certainty that I definitely won't be in the workforce in 2050. If I am I've found the secret to eternal life.As a woman of a certain age I am asked many times by friends when I'm going to retire. It's similar to when I got married. When was I going to have a baby was the constant. I suppose the next stage is: "Are you going to be buried or cremated?" (For the record: cremated.)As far as retirement is concerned I agree with Dame Elisabeth Murdoch who told me before her 100th birthday last year that people retire and talk themselves into old age. Always go on learning, she said, because the pursuit of knowledge is so important. She's a prime example of someone who has never stopped learning and still has much to offer.Likewise octogenarian Helen Thomas, veteran White House correspondent, who is still working and as feisty as ever holding politicians accountable.Then there's Peter Cundall €” raconteur, doyen of green thumbs, humanitarian €” and a veritable national treasure. Chairman of the Tasmanian Wilderness Society during the successful battle to stop the building of the Franklin Dam, the environment is high on his agenda. Wherever there's any form of destruction, he'll be at the front line. So it's no surprise that retirement is anathema to him.Michael Leunig says for him, retiring age has become retraining age. He believes we people of a certain age should become freer and bolder than ever and refuse to submit to being hurried along. "We're mature trees. People pay a lot of money for mature trees. In the great garden of life we are the trees of considerable stature and wonderful gnarled beauty. Where would you rather have a picnic on a hot sunny day? Beside the pansy or under the cool shade of a strong, handsome and peaceful tree?" Beautifully put.I did think about life after work 10 years ago when I came across a book When Work is not Enough. I read the first few pages, thought how boring, and never looked at it again.I also considered doing voluntary work €” I salute the army of volunteers who give their time so generously in the unpaid workforce helping out in op shops, retirement homes, hospitals and as volunteer guides at places like the zoo and botanic gardens €” but that never eventuated. Work always got in the way.My mother worked into her seventh decade running a lace centre in Nottingham. Not for her the quiet life, so maybe I'm following in her footsteps.It's the alternative you see. Golf, bridge, doing lunch, afternoon movies, perpetual holidays, shopping at will (mind you, that does sound attractive). And I know, voluntary work as I mentioned, but it just doesn't turn me on. Now.I enjoy the hustle and bustle of the newsroom, finding a good story, then writing it up. The ink is still in my slightly shrivelled veins.When I have to ask someone 20 times how they spell their surname, which might be as easy as Brown or Smith, then maybe it's time for the Home for the Perpetually Bewildered.Then again, there's always a job as a scarecrow. Not too much brain power in that. But I shall demand good working conditions.French champagne, smoked salmon and designer clothes. Can't look sloppy on the job. Oh, and an abundant supply of June Allyson party pants. I could be hanging around for a while.
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