$300,000 awarded to promote dementia awareness in diverse communities

Dementia Australia has today announced the recipients of the 2025 Diversity Small Grant program, awarding more than $300,000 to 10 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse community groups and organisations across Australia.

Each of the recipients were awarded up to $30,000 each to fund activities to build greater dementia awareness in their local communities

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the grants have been awarded at a time when dementia prevalence rates among First Nations people are approximately three to five times higher than that of the general Australian population¹ and at least 28 per cent of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non-English speaking country². 

“Each of these community groups or organisations have been selected because they know their communities. We look forward to seeing all the projects up and running and increasing dementia awareness in a way that is culturally sensitive and appropriate,” Professor Buchanan said.

“The standard of applicants was extremely high - I congratulate all grant recipients.”

Successful grant recipient Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Limited CEO Simon Flagg said the grant would allow their organisation to use food, storytelling and connection to promote dementia awareness and reduce stigma.

“Our project, ‘Koori Kitchen Memories: Food and Storytelling for Dementia Awareness’, will involve cooking bush tucker and nostalgic family meals, as well as informal yarning about signs of dementia with a dementia educator,” Mr Flagg said.

“We will use traditional and familiar recipes to spark memories, bring people together and share information about dementia. The project will bring local Elders and young people together to promote intergenerational learning.”

The Diversity Small Grant program is a Dementia Australia initiative funded by the Australian Federal Government. 

Recipients of the Diversity Small Grants

ACT
ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc

NSW
Ginhar Indigenous Corporation ​

NT

Darwin Community Art Inc

QLD
Multicultural Community of Queensland Inc​

SA
Tullawon Health Service Inc​
Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service Limited

VIC

Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative
Australian-Filipino Community Services
Australian Burundian Community in Victoria Inc

WA
Moorditj Youth Foundation Aboriginal Corporation

¹ Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Population health impacts of dementia among First Nations
people

² Australian Bureau of Statistic 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers

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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au

Media contacts: David Gear, 0435 515 221, david.gear@dementia.org.au

When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.

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