Transcript
[Beginning of recorded material]
[Gwen and Jack]
Gwen: Hi, I'm Gwen Crombie, and this is my husband, Jack Crombie. We've lived all over Australia in many different areas, and we are now settled in Murray Bridge, South Australia.
[Visual: Gwen and Jack at the pier]
Gwen: Jack was first diagnosed with dementia when we were living in Port Augusta around seven years ago. He was getting confused, he was forgetting things, and he was unable to do things that he used to do, like he's been a bush mechanic most of his life. Jack doesn't communicate as much now as he used to, but he does love to be part of what's going on, and sit there listening to people.
Jack: Well, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed that.
Gwen: In 2014, we had Jack's book published which I wrote in Jack's words. He told the story, it's called "Walkabout through the Life of Jack Crombie".
[Visual: Gwen and Jack look at his book]
Gwen: It starts off in his early life of growing up on walkabout, on the remote desert country. He then went on to join the rodeos. He was driving cattle up and down the Birdsville track, then he joined the police force and was there for just over nine years. And then, Jack and I both retired from what we were doing, and we were asked, with Red Cross, to introduce Red Cross to Aboriginal communities.
[Visual: Photo of Jack receiving Order of Australia medal. Jack's Order of Australia medal]
Gwen: In 2019, Jack and I received the Order of Australian medal. It was a complete surprise to us because, working remotely, we didn't realise people even knew what we were doing. Some people don't really understand what dementia's all about. Jack's kept his happy, easy going personality and nature.
A little support makes a big difference.
[Title card: A little support makes a big difference. discrimination.dementia.org.au. An Australian Government Initiative]
[END of recorded material]
