Tina Milson's portraits of Goulburn residents, celebrating the life of older people, have been selected for the exhibition.

The exhibition opened in state Parliament in March this year and has plans to travel to over 47 locations in both city and rural communities throughout the state.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was relaunched at Sutherland Library.

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The exhibition celebrates the contribution older people make to their communities and seeks to increase their participation in the arts and cultural activities, as part of the NSW Ageing Strategy.

The criteria for the exhibition was to photograph people in the regional communities aged over 50 years, what are they doing with their lives and how they are experiencing old age.

"The Art of Ageing exhibitions have given me an opportunity to celebrate our multicultural community over the age of 50yrs. I wanted to choose those who are giving back to the community and came across a number of such people in the community," Milson said.

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"I chose people with whom their experiences, attitude to life and their contribution to our community would redefine the perceptions of ageing. They don't think they are doing anything remarkable. However, I was humbled to tell a portion of their stories and take their portraits.

"Some people I knew while others were suggested, which made it even more of a challenge for me to do justice to the trust instilled by those subjects."

Two of her portraits of locals Jacki Waugh and Steve Ridley were selected to be a part of the exhibition out of the total 18 that were sent.

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"Needless to say, I found it very difficult to be given a restriction of numbers which would be exhibited. The images which have not been exhibited yet are being utilised by the department to promote ageing in our society over the next two years," Milson added.

The exhibition will continue for the next two years, travelling in regional areas. Some of her portraits will be hanging permanently in Goulburn.

Sharing her experience, she said that it's important to find a way to make people comfortable and trust you.

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She found out that some of the secrets are "age is only a number, life is too short to waste, laughter is the best medicine, if it doesn't fit one way, turn it around and try again, giving back to our community, looking out for your friends and neighbours, learn something new, exercise."

"Many of them said that they want to inspire the younger generation to give back to the community," she said.

"The fact that they are humble, give back to the community, inspire younger generations to follow suit, it's wonderful to see that."

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The exhibition is the third in the series commissioned by the NSW Government and features works by NSW photographers Kerri Ambler, Tina Milson, Julie Slavin, Tim White, Trevor Green and Tayla Martin.

Curated by Sue Mitchell, the exhibition is touring in two formats of large hanging prints and a more compact concertina panel display.

Acting Minister for Seniors, Geoff Lee, said the exhibition proves that age is definitely no barrier to celebrating life.

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"The experience of growing older is unique to every individual whether they are artists, athletes, entrepreneurs or volunteers," he said.

"The images in 'The Art of Ageing' tackle misconceptions about the lives of seniors and give people insight and inspiration about what is possible.

"Thousands of seniors look forward to 'The Art of Ageing' so I am proud to say it is returning and will tour libraries, galleries and other public spaces around NSW."

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