Thursday Three - 05 February 2026

• Anita Westera to speak at Australian Healthcare Week 2026

• 2026 Gary Andrews International Fellow: Professor Rayne Stroebel, South Africa

• AAG QLD webinar 26 Feb: Swedish Home Care Workforce

AAG Congratulates Professor Henry Brodaty AO 2026 Senior Australian of the Year!

An AAG Fellow and early pioneer through the Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, one of the original organisations with AAG Collaborative Research Centres network, Professor Henry Brodaty AO has helped change dementia care in big ways, working toward a future where dementia is treated better, and hopefully prevented altogether.

Watch the video via image below to learn more about Prof Brodaty and his amazing career journey.

Anita Westera to speak at AHW2026

AAG is delighted to announce that our President, Anita Westera, will speak at Australian Healthcare Week 2026, 11 March, International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney)!

Anita will join AAG member James Britton, CEO of Geriatric Care Australia, together with representatives from Uniting and ACH Group on the Ageing Transformation stage for the Keynote Panel Discussion on the future of aged care.

Key points include:

• Reimagining strategy to meet consumer expectations
• Addressing systemic shortcomings
• Adopting flexible service models; and
• Building trust through transparent communication and leadership.

Later in the day, Anita will take on the Community Seminar stage, presenting: Evidence in ageing health policy: Health and care needs. This presentation will provide an overview of the current evidence available to support the development of evidence-based policy and programs, and the barriers that impact implementation into practice.

We also look forward to hearing from other AAG members speaking at the event, including Wendy Hubbard, Victoria Traynor, Marissa Dickins and Marianne Coleman.

AAG is a proud partner of AHW2026. We look forward to seeing you there!

Entry is free - get your tickets now!

2026 Gary Andrews International Fellow: Professor Rayne Stroebel, South Africa

Professor Rayne Stroebel is a leading innovator in dementia and aged‑care support in South Africa. As founder and Managing Director of GERATEC, he champions relationship‑directed care and has trained more than 3,000 caregivers through The Eden Alternative South Africa.

With a PhD in Dementia Studies and recent appointment as an Extraordinary Professor of Practice at North‑West University, Prof Stroebel brings deep expertise in long‑term care and culturally sensitive, holistic support models. Based in Cape Town, he delivers nationwide training to improve quality of life for people living with dementia. His values of compassion, respect and innovation reflect the core of the AAG community.

Read more from Prof Stroebel on ageing, dementia, death and dying at Minds Matter.

Stay tuned for more exciting news and updates in the lead up to AAGConf26 in Melbourne!

AAG QLD Presents: The work environment for home care workers in Sweden 

Discover What Really Shapes the Swedish Home Care Workforce

Thursday, 26 February 2026, via Zoom

4:00PM to 5:00PM AEST (QLD)

5.00pm AEDT (MELB, SYD, HOB)

Join A/Prof of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Fredrik Norström, Umeå University, Sweden, for an eye‑opening session revealing how Swedish in‑home care teams manage rising workloads, workplace risk, and the unique pressures of the COVID‑19 era. You’ll get a clear look at what drives staff wellbeing, in-home workforce challenges, and how smart task design can prevent burnout.

Why attend?

• Uncover data‑backed insights on workload and wellbeing
• Understand the real‑world risks and logistical hurdles of home‑based care
• Hear practical lessons from managers who led teams through the pandemic
  
  

Facilitated by AAG Board Director, Dr Ashlyn Sahay, Senior Lecturer (Teaching & Research), CQ University, this webinar is perfect for leaders seeking actionable strategies to support, protect and empower their frontline workforce.

AAG members free (ANZSGM, NZAG & GCA Members free with code); $50 non-members

Register Now!