Strengthening Connections in Regional Victoria and Far North Queensland

The Strengthening Connections program brings together Dementia Advocates, members of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee and community members in regional areas of Australia to meet, share stories and build stronger local relationships.

Cairns, Queensland

Queensland’s Cairns region welcomed the opportunity to be part of the Strengthening Connections Project at the end of March. 

Over two consecutive days, Dementia Australia Advisory Committee (DAAC) members Bobby Redman and Juanita Hughes met with 49 people, including people living with dementia, family carers and others

Bobby and Juanita encouraged participants to share their stories and experiences of living with dementia in Cairns and discussed ways to increase connections across the region.

“Thanks for the best meeting – am glad I came,” wrote one of the attendees. 

Another attendee shared a positive story about how well connected and supported they felt in the Cairns community.

Thank you to the Far North Queensland Dementia Alliance and the Cairns and Community Dementia Carers Support Group for the invitation to join their groups.

Geelong and Cobden, Victoria

DAAC members Natalie Ive and Kevyn Morris hosted two Strengthening Connections events in Geelong and Cobden in March to look at ways people living with dementia, their families and carers could stay connected within their community.

Six people, including four Advocates, attended the Geelong event and nine people, including one Advocate, attended the event in Cobden, in southwest Victoria.

“The Victorian Strengthening Connections project tour highlighted to me the importance of the brave and vulnerable sharing of people's lived experience of dementia and that of their carers,” Natalie said.

Feedback included participants feeling more connected after sharing experiences with their respective groups.