The newsletter discusses Bev Wilkinson's experiences during her recent tour in the United States, where she reflected on her journey with Celebrate Living History and the connections she made. It highlights her encounters with inspiring individuals, particularly Achati Ojulo Okuot, whose story emphasizes the importance of education, and Bev's commitment to connecting generations through storytelling initiatives. Moving forward, Bev aims to expand her work by collaborating with government and non-profit organizations to reach more people and share their stories.

1. Howdy folks! It has been quite a while since I’ve last
sent out a newsletter. Following my recent study and
speaking tour of the United States Over the past few
months, I’ve taken time to reflect on what is next for
Celebrate Living History, how I can put all the shared
experiences and new skills to good use. Essentially
where to next, and where will this journey will end up.
Sometimes when you take time out, the best ideas
come to you, or in my case a trip to the United States.
It’s funny if you asked me this time last year, if I was
going to represent Australia at a major conference. I
would have been like How? I had just applied for the
Churchill fellowship and connected with amazing
people from all over the world. But without funding
my idea was just an idea. I didn’t end up with the
Churchill fellowship, but a seed had grown in me.
Somehow, I was going to go on tour in the US!
4Follow our mascot Ava Dognarto Page
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Connecting young
people and seniors to
document stories for
future generations
August 2017
Bev with the international participants of the
Generations United Conference in Milwaukee
Words from Bev
Wilkinson
Words from Bev the founder
of Celebrate Living History
Education is
Number one
Lessons from
Atlanta
Share your story
Corporate Speaker
Contact details
Travel Journal
Bev with Generations
United Projects Manager
Emily Patrick

2. Celebrate Living History www.celebratelivinghistory.com Semester 1: 2017
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I remember the day I met Achati Ojulo
Okuot, it was a cold and windy Thursday
evening and I was walking home from the
bus stop. I was still new to the Gold Coast as
it was my first semester of university and
living away from home.
I moved to the Gold Coast in 2013 so that I
could study at Griffith University.
Everything was very new and scary for me,
especially because I came from Toowoomba,
a small town in South East Queensland with
a population of less than 150,000 people.
On my way home I walked into ALDI to pick
up some groceries, while doing that, this
beautiful, small and cheerful African woman
walked towards me with a big smile spread
across her face. She had such a kind look on
her face, she came and introduced herself to
me. I couldn’t stop starring at her gold tooth
as was talking to me. She said “Hi my
daughter, I always see you walking past my
house when you get the time come by and
visit. We are all one, I am like a mother to
you so don’t be afraid to come, I live just on
Central street here,” as she pointed in the
direction to her house. I thanked her and
said I would visit her when I get the time;
Education is number one
By Margie Agoth
she made my day just by being so kind and
calling me her daughter. From that day on I
always knew there was a great story in her
that I would some day have to hear.
As time passed by I became more familiar
with the new environment, at the same time
I also became friends with Israel who I later
learned to be Achati’s youngest son. Soon
after, it came time to visit Achati and hear
her story. I asked her son Israel if he could
translate for me while interviewing his
mother as she only spoke Anyuak, her
mother’s tongue and little English.
Achati Ojulo Okuot was born during the
mid-1960’s in the state of Gambela, situated
in the South-Western part of Ethiopia, as
part of a remote tribe called Anuak. She was
born into a family of five children and two
parents; she had three brothers and two
sisters. She was born and raised in a family
that strongly believed in their Christian
faith. She said the first thing she did in the
morning when she woke up was pray before
going to school or continuing with her daily
routine.
Achati completed up to year twelve level of
education in her home country however it

3. Celebrate Living History June/July/Augustedition 2017
3
was not an easy journey for her. She started grade one at the
age of twelve, she was among the first three girls from
Gambela to ever attend school. She tells me back then school
was available for free for all the children, money was never a
problem. Her parents both loved the idea if their daughter
going to school and getting an education but not everybody
thought the same. After completing grade one, Achati was
removed from school and was made to stay home and marry,
her community did not believe in girl’s education. The
problem was not the lack of money but the people’s
mentality and cultural beliefs. At her age Achati did not
understand why she was not allowed to study while the boys
were, she thought it was unfair. Achati said when she was
taken out of school she would cry every day, especially when
she hears the school bell ring from home. She said, “When I
see the Ethopian flag being put up at school I would cry and
cry all day”. She felt as if a big part of her was being taken
away and it was just not fair.
Achati was married to the most amazing man as she
described him. She says that, “He was very nice, loving and
understanding, and he would help me and teach me at
home”. Her husband was an orphan raised by the missionary
people from Mission America. Due to his upbringing in the
orphanage he was more understanding and became a man of
God, a pastor. At the age of thirteen she was married to her
now late husband and as young as she was, Achati quickly
had to learn to become a mother and wife. However, Achati
still calls herself blessed to have married a man who loved
and understood the importance of education regardless of
sex. After having her first child she continued studying at
home, her husband became her teacher. He taught her the
alphabet from Book One which was a textbook from Sudan.
She would study at night, as she was now a mother she had
house duties to take care of during the day.
Currently Achati lives on the Gold Coast in Australia, she has
not given up on her education yet. When she arrived in
Australia she studied English at TAFE and has finished her
certificate one, two and three in social work. Her next goal is
to get her degree or diploma in Human Services. Achati’s
message is to all the women and most importantly to the
African woman, that they must continue to strive for their
education, as it is the only solution to seeing the world
clearer.
This woman has inspired me, not only as an African but also
as a woman, to never give up especially when it comes to
education. Achati’s story has truly touched me and I am sure
it will most defiantly touch many other women. In Achati’s
words “Education is number one in the world”, always
remember that.
I visited Atlanta to meet the
wonderful Meagan Jain who
is the founder of Ageless
Interaction. I joined one of
her art classes at a Senior
Day Centre. I was placed
between two participants
who had an intensive form of
dementia. Both participants
were happy sleeping and
talking but when it came to
painting they struggled. I
found myself worried about
the end goal, which was to
have a painting for the
participant’s family. Meagan
reminded me to enjoy being
in the moment. To not worry
about the end goal but to just
relax and have fun. You can
only focus on the now, not
the future. – Bev Wilkinson
Lessons from
Meeting Meagan
Jain from Ageless
Interaction

4. Celebrate Living History www.celebratelivinghistory.com Semester 1: 2017
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Continued from page 1
With help from little crowd funding, I managed to
achieve my goal of heading to the United States to
speak at the Generations United Conference in
Milwaukee. It was amazing to see my journey come to
life. To speak to such a vast audience and most of all be
respected for the knowledge that I had gained over the
past five years. It felt truly natural to be talking about
my passion for connecting generations. I felt amazed
to be surrounded by folks who are excited about
connecting generations and the mental health of our
elders.
My “Forget About Ages” tour was truly unique. I
travelled to cities that an average Aussie tourist would
not visit. One of my highlights was visiting the folks at
Duke University in North Carolina, where I was
exposed to a treasure trove of information about
museum art programs that focused on catering
towards seniors with dementia. I had the pleasure of
joining the Duke University Nasher Museum
Reflections tour, which is for those with Alzheimer’s to
experience art in the moment. I loved that despite
having problems with memory participants could still
use their imagination and enjoy art.
The knowledge that I’ve gained from travelling around
the United States has given me a new direction. Tobe
able to truly excel in what you do well, I learnt that it’s
ok to be paid for your knowledge. With this in mind,
the new focus for me to make the most of my
knowledge and experience, and to make Celebrate
Living history viable, I will be on focusing on
connecting with government, nursing homes and not-
for-profits that work with both young and old. My aim,
as it always has been is to help people connect and
share their stories, and to be able to dedicate the time
and attention needed to reach more people on a larger
scale.
Till Next Time! Bev
Have you ever wondered
about your parents or
grandparents story but
never had the time to
really ask?
Book a session with Bev
our founder to treasure
these memories for many
generations to enjoy.
Our packages feature
-One on one interview
- Videos
- Photos
-Written transcript of the
session.
Work as a leisure assistant
in a nursing home?
Ask about our “Limited”
special offer.
Call us on 0402 926 131 or
send us an email to enquire
about packages.
Share your story
with Bev!

5. Celebrate Living History June/July/Augustedition 2017
5
Corporate Speaking
Our founder Bev Wilkinson is a speaker
with a difference; she has faced adversity
to create the only journalism program in
Australia focused on connecting young
journalism students with seniors. It all
started with a passion to find an outlet to
use her communications degree. Bev ended
up creating an exhibition curating the
locals of Frankston. And discovered the
wealth of knowledge and experience these
seniors held. Using initiative, she flew to
the Gold Coast and spoke to her old
journalism lecturer. This was the
beginning of the Celebrate Living History
internship program. Five years later she
has successfully become the go-between
for two very diverse generations. Young
journalism students and seniors over the
age of 60 to curate stories for the Celebrate
Living History website. She believes
strongly in initiative and has worked in
both aged and disability fields to learn
more about the mental health of those she
is passionate about supporting.
Bev has spoken on a national and
international level. Just recently she spoke
at the Generations United 2017
Intergenerational Conference in
Milwaukee about her passion for
connecting generations.
Her Key Areas of expertise:
- Intergenerational Communication
- Mental Health
- Journalism – Writing and
interviewing
- Entrepreneurship
- Art Programs specializing in catering
towards those with Alzheimer’s and
dementia
Hire Bev to inspire your employees to
think outside the square to make exciting
dreams happen.
Call Bev on 0402926131 or email:
celebratelivinghistory@gmail.com to book
a consultation.

6. Celebrate Living History
PO BOX 11253
Frankston 3199
celebratelivinghistory@gmail.com
www.celebratelivinghistory.com.au
www.celebratelivinghistor
Contact:
Thanks to our Supporters and Sponsors
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sponsors to be featured in our
newsletter? Shoot us an email at:
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7. 7
Set yourself a 30-Day-Challenge!
While travelling I decided to create a unique travel journal documenting
everydayfolks on publictransport. Here are just a few for you to enjoy! I hope I
inspire you to do somethingdifferent –Bev