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A bunch of residents at a Daylesford aged care home are 'ageing disgracefully' — but it's all for a good cause

It's not every day you see elderly ladies flipping off drivers, or getting arrested, but a new calendar will allow you to see it every day. 

Anticipation is building for the release of the calendar created by a Daylesford aged care facility, after its 2020 version made headlines for its cheeky photos of residents copying famous movie scenes.

Hepburn House is preparing for the release of its 2023 edition late next month, based around the theme of "ageing disgracefully".

The front cover will feature a photo of resident Ruth Irving holding up a line of cars behind her mobility scooter while sticking up a middle finger.

"She is a very dignified lady," Hepburn House manager Dianne Jones said.

"She loved getting on her scooter … It is just really funny, and she was funny too — and she is happy to be on the cover."

Ms Jones said the first calendar project in 2020 grew from the residents' idea to fundraise after the Black Summer bushfires.

The calendar and photo shoots became a fun way to get involved, and sales raised $6,000 for the bushfire relief effort.

A photo of Peggy Warren, who was 84 years old at the time, featured on the cover and was shared widely in the community.

She lay in her underwear on a bed of roses to recreate an image from the film American Beauty.

Ms Jones said bringing the calendar project back to life this year had brought joy and fun to the aged care facility, after a tough period through COVID-19 lockdowns and isolation.

Staff brainstormed photo ideas and photographer David White, who volunteers his time for the project, added his own creativity to the photo shoots.

Mr White, from Kyneton, said he had gotten to know the residents and he was sometimes amazed at what they were prepared to do for the photo shoots.

"Some of the situations they are put in, you wouldn't think they would be that keen, but they just do it, and it is great. They are very friendly and enthusiastic about it," he said.

"I did one yesterday with a couple in a motorbike and sidecar being chased out of the facility, like the great escape.

"The residents were all lining the balconies watching and I had to clear them out of the background."

Ms Jones said one of her favourite photos shows local police officers Senior Constables Jason Allison and Jeremy Freckleton putting resident Irene Hannah into the back of a divvy van.

One-hundred-and three-year-old resident Amy Burow will also feature in the calendar, sitting dressed up in a fur coat and tiara behind a birthday cake with candles and balloons.

She said she had friends who were already keen to purchase copies of the calendar.

"I think everyone will be so excited about it. Everybody is waiting for it to come out," Ms Burow said.

Proceeds from the 2023 calendar sales will help fund the purchase of a new bus for residents.

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