'When is someone old? Is 50 the magic number? Is 70 the new 60? Are we old when we retire? When we qualify for a senior's card? At the point we are defined as 'old' we are assigned to a category. We are often patronised, ignored, shouted at, called love, dear and darling—not our name—and expected to dwell on the margins of society.' Patricia Edgar In Praise of Ageing is an explosive book set to reignite the debate on the issues surrounding ageing and aged care A book that challenges not only our politicians but our wider community on our misconceptions about the ageing population. In Praise of Ageing calls for a revolution in thinking about the role, the status, and well-being of a group who are now the fastest growing of any age group in society Features a series of stories of inspirational people who have led and are leading remarkable lives, including the world's oldest skydiver, a mayoress, a pioneering feminist, a World War II doctor, a Captain of the Royal Australian Navy and other incredible people who have consistently reinvented themselves over the course of their lives Patricia Edgar is a film and television producer, a researcher, a sociologist, a writer, an educator and a policy analyst. She was the Director of the Australian Children's Television Foundation and Chair of the ACMI Foundation. She is also currently Chair of Breast Cancer Network Australia 'Patricia is a sort of centurion in her abilities to kick down doors and push walls over...she gets things done.' Phillip Adams 'At 76 my life is far from circumscribed. I write, I publish, I engage; I support and see my family, grandchildren and friends regularly, I read, I watch movies, television and theatre, walk, drive and go to the gym; I chair an international foundation, I sit on a theatre board, I act as a mentor to a number of people and get called on for advice; I travel widely, enjoy new experiences, organise two homes, engage with the community and take an interest in politics...Society may wish to define me as past my prime but I can see plenty of life to be lived yet.' Patricia Edgar Supported by a national publicity and marketing campaign with major events in Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Adelaide High profile media launch with Govenor-General Quentin Bryce Author lives in Fitzroy