The Ageing Well: Self-care – mind and body one-day conference brings together academics industry partners and community members to explore what ageing well means, and the diversity of factors that influence the individual experience of an otherwise intangible concept. 

The program includes academic presentations by leading researchers in the field of ageing and physical activity mindfulness, a lived experience panel discussion, and an interactive workshop on mindfulness, ageing and body-mapping.

• Learn about current research which examines ageing, mindfulness, compassion and physical activity across the continuum of care. 
• Participate in a body mapping workshop focusing on mindfulness and ageing.
• Hear from our diverse lived experience panel.
• Network with other Victorian AAG members.

 

Hear from our speakers:

Professor Sunil Bhar
Professor of Psychology
Swinburne University of Technology

Sunil Bhar is a Professor of Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology and is the director of the Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults, a geropsychology counselling service for older adults living in residential aged care facilities. For more than a decade, he has led research on the outcomes and mechanisms of psychological treatments for older adults. His research program adopts a comprehensive approach to the development and delivery of effective and sustainable interventions to promote wellbeing in later life.
 

 

Professor Helen Rawson
Deputy Head of School, Monash Nursing and Midwifery, Monash University

Helen Rawson is a Registered Nurse, a Professor and Deputy Head of Monash University Nursing and Midwifery. Helen’s clinical and academic career is dedicated to enhancing wellbeing and promoting safe evidence-based care for older people across all care settings especially residential aged care. Helen has extensive clinical, research and engagement experience in gerontological nursing and the aged care sector. Helen’s research has involved older people, family members/care partners and the workforce in hospital and residential aged care.

Professor Pazit Levinger
Professor of Research
National Ageing Research Institute

Pazit Levinger is a Professor of Research and Principal Researcher at NARI. She has over 15 years of experience, skills and expertise in active ageing, physical activity and falls prevention, gait analysis and clinical biometrics. Her current research focuses on research translation and community work with local government engagement and she leads the ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park project – a VicHealth Award finalist for 2019 for Promoting Health through Physical Activity and Sport category.

Dr Christina Ekegren
Senior Research Fellow
Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living Research Centre, Monash University

Christina Ekegren is a Senior Research Fellow within the Rehabilitation, Ageing and Independent Living (RAIL) Research Centre. Her research focuses on physical activity in clinical populations, specifically hospitalised patients, older adults and people recovering from traumatic injury.

 

Dr Danny Hills
Monitoring and Evaluation Manager - Health Care Solutions, Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association
Adjunct Professor - Monash University and Federation University

Danny Hills is the Monitoring and Evaluation Manager with the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), where he is focussed on supporting programs and research of relevance to primary health care nursing and midwifery. He concurrently holds Adjunct Professor appointments at Federation University and Monash University.

 

The University of Melbourne Contemplative Studies Centre
The purpose of the Centre is to facilitate and foster truly interdisciplinary, evidence-based research into contemplative practice and methodology. In the public interest of helping to identify and promote authentic and efficacious contemplation-based offerings. Develop and lead the delivery of outstanding education and lifelong learning to encourage the pursuit of knowledge for the wellbeing and flourishing of society.

Cameron Marshman
Registered Nurse (Credentialed mental health)
Lecturer in Nursing Monash University, PhD Candidate

Cameron Marshman is a credentialed mental health nurse, educator, PhD candidate, and an avid surfer and snowboarder. Cameron is passionate about the potential of art-based health research and continually seeks to innovate research approaches, education, and dissemination strategies. His PhD research explores embodied understandings of compassion using body mapping as a visual art-based approach to discover how we might cultivate compassion for a flourishing mental healthcare system.

 

Teresa Donegan
Graduate Researcher
University of Melbourne

Teresa Donegan is a Social Worker with over 30 years' experience in aged and disability services in Australia and the United Kingdom, across government and not for profit organisations. Currently she is a graduate researcher with the University of Melbourne exploring mindfulness and ageing. Teresa is passionate about the opportunities and challenges that ageing presents, to reconcile and transform ourselves.

 

Dr Cullan Joyce

Cullan Joyce is a passionate collaborator, environmental activist, meditation researcher, practitioner, and (future) MBSR teacher. He taught philosophy, and spirituality for over a decade at the University of Divinity and the ACU before joining the Contemplative Studies Centre (CSC) at the University of Melbourne. He is an Insight Fellow at CSC, where his main interest is applying contemplative research and practices to support vulnerable Australian communities. He has helped develop CSC’s future educational offering, the Graduate Certificate in Contemplative Care (GCCC).
His research collaboration covers several disciplines, primarily health, psychology, and the humanities in CSC’s projects: A) Contemplative practices and social change and B) Mapping contemplative experiences across and within meditation traditions.
Cullan has a Bachelor of Theology (ACU) and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Tasmania and is completing his training as an MBSR instructor.

There will also be a panel discussion featuring:

Dr Peter Lim is a retired economist. Peter grew up the then Malaya (now Malaysia) and holds a PhD from the Institute of Social Studies, Catholic University of Paris. Apart from economic matters, he has a keen interest in social issues including poverty, homelessness, mental health and old age. Peter was the founder of The Melbourne Circle (2013), is a self-taught violinist and tenor, and is married to his wife of 60 years. He regards himself as a humanist and pacifist.

 

Dr Mary Cruickshank has held academic teaching and research positions in Australia and has served as Professor and Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery at Federation University, the University of Canberra, and Charles Darwin University. Mary is currently a board member of a higher education School of Commerce in Victoria, and also served as a director on a rural health service board in Victoria. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at the ASEAN Institute for Health Development at Mahidol University, Bangkok Thailand. 

 

 

Professor Barry Golding AM is an Honorary Professor with Federation University Australia, Patron of the Australian Men’s Shed Association and former President of Adult Learning Australia. In 2023, he was a State Library Victoria Fellow. Barry’s particular academic interest and expertise is in older men’s learning and wellbeing in community context. 

 

 

 

Pauline McKinnon is an author, meditation teacher and family therapist.  In 1983 Pauline published In Stillness Conquer Fear, her lived experience of recovery from life-limiting anxiety. Through her children’s books Pauline introduced Stillness Meditation programs into primary schools. In 2006 she initiated the formation of Meditation Australia and remains a Founding Patron. From 40 years’ experience in private consulting and as a mother and grandmother, Pauline advocates the practice of ‘stillness’ as fundamental to a calm, fulfilled and happy life. 

 

 

 

Follow this link to download a flyer

In collaboration with

 

Please do not attend the session if you feel unwell in any way or
have any symptoms of a respiratory condition

Spaces are limited due to venue size so we encourage you to register early
Please note that registration will close at 5.00pm on Wednesday 1st May

Non-member concessions please use code AAGVIC230503
during checkout to reduce your cost to $110

Travel tips
Melbourne Connect is easily accessible through a variety of transport options.

Public transport is the most convenient option.

TRAM ROUTES:
1, 3, 3A, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67, 72 & 19
FLINDERS STREET & MELBOURNE CENTRAL - CATCH CONNECTING
TRAMS: 1, 3, 3A, 5, 16, 64, 67 & 72

BUS ROUTES:
200, 207, 250, 251, 401, 402, 403, 505 & 546

TAXI RANK LOCATED ON GRATTAN STREET
CAR PARK: CARDIGAN HOUSE PARKING
LOCATION: 96 GRATTAN ST, CARLTON VIC 3053

CAR PARK: UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE, PARKVILLE CAMPUS -
EASTERN PRECINCT CAR PARK
LOCATION: 375 CARDIGAN ST, CARLTON VIC 3053