Bobby Redman retires from the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee

Bobby Redman has turned her personal experience with dementia into a powerful force for change, driving national advocacy, policy reform and community engagement. 

Since joining the Dementia Australia Advocates Program in 2016, she has worked tirelessly to improve awareness, education and support for those impacted.

Bobby joined the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC) as a member in September 2017 and she was elected Chair in October 2021, a position she held until stepping down this month. 

As Chair, she demonstrated exceptional leadership in strengthening the committee’s work and amplifying the voices of people living with dementia across Australia. 

Bobby has been an important link between the DAAC and Dementia Australia’s management via the CEO, initially Maree McCabe AM and, since May 2024, Professor Tanya Buchanan.

Her achievements as DAAC Chair included:

• Strengthening DAAC’s relationship with the Dementia Australia Board, including a 2022 presentation and collaboration with the Board Liaison position (Tony Newman, later held by Jenny Richter).
• Leading four in-person committee meetings (2022 Brisbane, 2023 Adelaide, 2024 Canberra, 2025 Sydney).
• Spearheading key DAAC projects such as Strengthening Connections, Consumer Involvement in Research, and contributing to A Stronger Voice Together and the Quality Dementia Care Project.
• Providing Chair reports for Dementia Australia’s Annual Report and the Advocacy in Action e-newsletter.
• Co-signing a Letter to the Editor for Dementia Action Week 2024 with the Chair of the Board, that was published in more than 150 publications nationwide.
• Providing media quotes for key announcements, such as ‘Urgent action needed – ‘community’ is the solution’ and ‘Ramps needed to dismantle discrimination for people living with dementia’.

Bobby Redman’s unwavering commitment to dementia advocacy has influenced national policy, strengthened community support systems and advanced research engagement. 

Her leadership in DAAC, grassroots advocacy, public speaking and media engagement has empowered countless individuals living with dementia and significantly influenced lasting change.

We thank Bobby for her many years of leadership and advocacy as she retires from the DAAC. Bobby will remain a Dementia Advocate. 

The new Chair of DAAC is South Australian Dementia Advocate Ann Pietsch who has been a DAAC member since 2019.