Thursday Three - 19 09 2024

  • AAG Presents for Dementia Action Week 2024 A Conversation Salon – “The Bold and Unapologetic Voices we need in Dementia Research, Policy and Advocacy”
  • Keep those stories rolling in! AAG member memories for the AAG 60th birthday anniversary
  • Welcome Dr Andrea Petriwskyj to the AAG team

AAG Drop-in policy session

Thurs 26 Sep 2024 from 4 to 5pm (Melbourne / Canberra / Sydney)
Discuss the aged care act ahead of submissions due to the Senate Standard Committees on Community Affairs (closing 30 Sept)
Drop in policy session information and link

AAG Presents for Dementia Action Week 2024 A Conversation Salon – Now Available On-Demand!

During Dementia Action Week 2024, we hosted a powerful Conversation Salon: "The Bold and Unapologetic Voices We Need in Dementia Research, Policy, and Advocacy." This insightful recorded conversation is now available for you to watch at your convenience!

In this session, three remarkable dementia advocates—Gwenda Darling, Theresa Flavin, and Bobby Redman, share their experiences and insights on fostering greater inclusivity in dementia-related work. The conversation, facilitated by A/Prof Anita Goh, AAG Board member and Principal Research Fellow at the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI).

Key takeaways include:

  • Why inclusivity is vital in dementia research and care.
  • Common challenges to building inclusive environments.
  • Practical tips to implement in your own work.

This engaging and solutions-focused discussion will leave you inspired and equipped to contribute to a more inclusive, collaborative future for people living with dementia.

Access the recording anytime and discover how we can make a difference together.

"The Bold and Unapologetic Voices We Need in Dementia Research, Policy, and Advocacy" recorded conversation link.

L to R Gwenda Darling (pictured with Redleigh), Theresa Flavin, and Bobby Redman.

Keep those stories rolling in!

Thank you to everyone who has completed the AAG 60th Birthday Member Feedback Survey. We’ve had fun reading your responses, especially your anecdotes from your attendance at previous conventions. We particularly enjoyed the following tale from Anne Sammut, AAG Fellow and AAG Distinguished Member Awardee:

“It's a very silly story but I immediately thought about the time I went back to my accommodation from the national conference dinner being held in Sydney, with John McCallum's (former CEO of National Seniors and current member of the Aged Care council of Elders) jacket instead of my own.....and I hadn't even been drinking that much! To add to my embarrassment - John made sure everyone knew about it by telling the story (as evidence of the good time that was had by all!) - before presenting his paper at the conference the following day. Those conference dinners (are) always so much fun!”

If you haven’t yet completed the short 7 question survey, there’s still time! And don’t forget, we’re on the lookout for members to star in our "Meet the Member" video shorts to be highlighted on social media and Thursday Three. Interested? Simply leave your details at the end of the survey. 

Follow this link for the AAG 60th Birthday Member Feedback Survey via the AAG online community.

“The AAG Conference dancefloor is always a hit” – AAG Conference, Sydney, 2019

Welcome Dr Andrea Petriwskyj to the AAG team

We are pleased to introduce our newest member to the AAG team. Dr Andrea Petriwskyj has joined (last week!) as Policy and Research Officer. She will be working 2 days per week, with 1 day on Research Trust partnerships and 1 day on policy, advocacy, and business development support. Many of you may already know Andrea. She’s been a long-time AAG member and has held several voluntary roles at state and national levels including past Board member, Conference Co-Chair and Scientific Co-Chair. 

Andrea has a PhD in Gerontology and Social Policy from the University of Queensland, and her work has included research, policy and advocacy, education and training, community engagement, and advisory roles. Her special interests cover a range of topics relating to autonomy, voice and participation, diversity and inclusion.

Andrea is based in Brisbane. Outside work, she enjoys living room dance parties with her family, finding new plants for the garden, and drinking lots and lots of coffee.