July 2023: Update from the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee
Hello Everyone,
I’m just back from a few weeks in the UK, so am feeling a bit out of touch. Although there always seems to be something to do (as I’m sure you can all relate to), much of the work during the past couple of months appears to have been finishing off jobs and preparing for DAAC’s annual face-to-face meeting. This time we are meeting in Adelaide, after which I just know there will be so much to report back to you all.
I would like to acknowledge Elena Sutcliffe, our wonderful secretariat, who is now on maternity leave. A very exciting time for Elena and her family. I know she will be missed by all the Advocates in the Canberra area, for whom she was the Consumer Engagement Coordinator, and especially by all of the DAAC members. We wish her all the best.
Whilst waving goodbye to Elena, for now, we welcome on board Lisa Gruber, who is stepping into Elena’s role. Lisa has hit the road running and I’m sure is wondering which way is up. I’m sure I can speak for all of us in welcoming Lisa to the organisation and in saying how much we are looking forward to working with her.
As I write this the next Advocate drop-in meeting is coming up on Tuesday 1 August. We will be looking at policy, which is very exciting as so much goes on behind the scenes that we know so little about. It will be a great opportunity to find out more and to hear about the role that Dementia Advocates play in policy-making. You can find out more about this drop-in session in the story in this newsletter.
Until the next time.
Warmest wishes,
Bobby Redman
Chair, Dementia Australia Advisory Committee
e. DAAC@dementia.org.au
Photo: L-R Jenny Lawson, Val Schache, Juanita Hughes, Kevyn Morris, Dennis Frost, Ann Pietsch, Bobby Redman, Sarah Ashton, Natalie Ive.