By Luke Voogt
As humbled and honoured as Cathy Roth is to see her face on the wall of a central Geelong car park, she admits it takes some getting used to.
“I nearly ran up the gutter when I first saw it!” she laughed.
Her larger-than-life portrait adorning Busport Car Park is part of the Streetface project, this year putting the spotlight on older locals who have experienced major transitions in life.
For Cathy that transition revolves around her husband, former surgeon John Roth, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015.
The couple, who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year, met when Cathy worked as a radiographer.
The diagnosis left Cathy with an overwhelming sense of grief, with the prospect of loosing their plans and, more importantly, who John was.
“You picture the freedom of making plans and travelling in retirement,” said Cathy, who helped look after John’s parents when they had Alzheimer’s too.
“You hope that you share the journey together. All of a sudden, that wasn’t going to be quite the option. That relationship would ultimately change to me being John’s carer.”
But today John still plays golf and regularly indulges his passion for English history, and Cathy is his “watcher-outerer” rather than his carer.
“He’s out playing golf as we speak,” she said.
“Most people at his stage need care or have passed on.”
The couple continues to catch up with friends, who are considerate of John’s poor memory and occasional confusion.
“If John repeats himself that’s not the end of the world is it?” Cathy said.
“And as I point out to him, everyone gets confused at some stage.”
To support her husband, Cathy founded PALZ, a network for professionals with Alzheimer’s and similar diseases.
“He was looking for more than what was available for him,” she explained.
“The need is there and someone had to do it.”
Cathy would “never claim” the group had definitely slowed her husband’s deterioration, but said it might have helped.
“They have high-level speakers to stimulate them mentally and intellectually, and it allows them to socialise again with a peer group that’s familiar for them,” she said.
“It doesn’t stop the disease – you can’t – but you can go flat chat to make it as difficult as possible to progress.”
The long-time Rotarian received an Order of Australia Medal in 2013 for her work volunteering, and serving on the boards of various community and government organisations.
But her latest ventures, such as graduating last year with a master of leadership at Deakin University, were what drew the attention of this year’s Streetface selectors, according to Cathy.
“I love the concept of encouraging older people to embrace new opportunities,” she said.
“Anything is possible at any age, if you have good mental and physical health.”
Streetface has grown into a partnership between various local councils, along with health and community organisations.
This year’s program features the stories and portraits of several local residents at locations including City Hall, Geelong West Town Hall, Leisurelink, Bellarine Community Health, Portarlington, Civic Centre car park and Grovedale Neighbourhood House.
“I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to be selected, because there are so many extraordinary people out there who are contributing so much to the local community,” Cathy said.
