April 2024: Update from the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee

Hello Dementia Advocates, 

This month we sadly said goodbye to Maree McCabe AM, who stepped down as Dementia Australia CEO after 13 years with the organisation – Alzheimer’s Australia Vic then Dementia Australia following unification. 

Many Advocates out there will have met Maree personally and recognised the warmth and caring that she has carried with her in all her interactions with those of us living with dementia and our care partners. Please join with me in thanking Maree and wishing her all the best for her future endeavours. 

The Strengthening Connections pilot project is moving forward according to schedule with four more visits remaining to complete the plan, due to conclude in June. We are very excited to say that the Board has reviewed our half-year report, submitted last month, and has agreed to fund the project for a further 12 months. This allows for more opportunities to meet and strengthen the connections for Dementia Advocates living outside of capital cities. 

Two DAAC members, Natalie Ive and myself, together with Dementia Advocate Bill Yeates, are honoured to be attending and presenting at the Alzheimer’s Disease International 2024 Conference in Krakow, Poland at the end of April. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to share with the world some of the work that is being done here in Australia. 

If you have any news or queries, please feel free to contact me or other members of the DAAC on our email DAAC@dementia.org.au 

Until the next time.  

Bobby Redman 
Chair, Dementia Australia Advisory Committee 
(e) DAAC@dementia.org.au