Prof Aimee Spector, 2025 Gary Andrews International Fellow, attended the 58th AAG Conference with two PhD students, Melissa Melville and Suman Kurana. Below is a reflection provided to Nathan D’Cunha, AAG ACT Division Chair, from Melissa and Suman on their time in Alice Springs:
"Who would have thought that this November, amid the dreary English weather, we would be speaking at a conference in the heart of Australia, in Alice Springs? It was a real honour to participate in the AAG conference, a welcoming, broad, and engaging event with “Ageing at the Core” at its heart. Our work focuses on supporting people with dementia, low mood, or rare types of dementia, but we found it fascinating to hear such a wide range of talks spanning ageing, prevention, workforce reform, policy, innovation in technology and social care.
The conference opened with a deeply moving Acknowledgement of Country by Sarah Brown, which set a reflective and inspiring tone. Learning about working with remote communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and witnessing cultural practices such as the smoking ceremony and yarning circles, offered a profound insight into community-centred approaches to ageing and health.
Hearing Professor Aimee Spector speak about Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) was especially inspiring. CST shows how everyday conversations, reminiscence and gentle problem solving become therapeutic when delivered with clear intention. Its value comes from turning familiar, meaningful activities into a supportive and consistent programme that strengthens confidence, connection, and cognitive engagement. We were especially struck by how adaptable CST is across cultures and settings, and we are excited to see its continued growth, including its uptake in Australia, to meaningfully support people with dementia.
The conference dinner was an unforgettable highlight. A spectacular sunset, didgeridoo performance, and a tour of the stars made it truly unique. We left Alice Springs feeling energised, inspired, and grateful to be part of such a passionate, close-knit community. This conference reminded us why we do what we do and gave us fresh motivation to bring new ideas and energy back to our local work."
Pictured: Suman Kurana, Aimee Spector, Melissa Melville