By Rachel Jackson

ABC Kimberley

Topic: Alzheimer's and Dementia

Thursday, 21 May 2026, 2:37pm

The play invites the audience to eat scones with the cast.

In short:

A woman from West Australia wants to raise awareness about dementia with a play inspired by her family.

The play is about hidden Aboriginal heritage and a woman's struggle with dementia.

What's next?

Gwen Knox hopes her play inspires conversations about dementia.

Gwen Knox knows a lot about dementia.

She lost her grandmother, aunt, brother, and sister to the disease.

After her brother died, Gwen decided to write a play about her family.

Gwen hopes her play helps people understand dementia.

Gwen said she wrote the play before she got dementia.

Setting the family scene

The play is set in the 1970s and explores hidden Aboriginal heritage and dementia.

The play features West Australian actresses.

Gwen is a Ballardong Noongar woman, but she thought she was Maori.

The audience watches Nanna struggle with dementia during the play.

The play is about Nanna forgetting everything.

Gwen hopes the play sparks conversations about loss and dementia.

The audience eats scones with jam and cream during the play.

Gwen said it's essential to get people's stories before they lose their memories.

Gwen said it's better to ask people about their stories before they get dementia.

The play has visited the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.

The play visited the Kimberley and Pilbara this year.

One of the audience members is Gwen's sister-in-law, Wendy Knox.

'Shock' diagnosis

Wendy's husband Rob showed dementia symptoms at 53.

Rob's diagnosis was a shock to the family.

Wendy said people should be aware that dementia can look different.

Wendy said she grieved every day as her husband lost his memories.

Wendy said awareness about dementia has improved, but people should know it can present differently.

Wendy said dementia can happen at a younger age due to sporting injuries.

Nanna 'descends into dementia' as the play progresses.

Gwen said her husband experienced personality changes, not just memory loss.

Tyranny of distance

Dementia is the leading cause of death in Australia.

Research shows that First Nations people are more likely to get dementia.

Fiona Simpson said support is available for people with dementia and their carers.

Fiona Simpson said one of the biggest challenges is getting a timely diagnosis in remote areas.

Fiona said it's essential for people to know that care and support are available.

Fiona said care and support are available for people with dementia and their carers.

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Thursday, 21 May 2026, 2:37pm

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