The Federal Government has welcomed four new members to the Aged Care Council of Elders as it enters its fourth year since inception.
The Aged Care Council of Elders was established in late 2021 as a recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. Its purpose to provide a direct voice to the Department of Health and Aged Care about aged care reform.
From January 2025, the new members are:
- Professor Ponniah Anandajayasekeram, PhD (Dr Ananda), Board Chair, Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre, Victoria, and volunteers at organisations that enable older people partner with multicultural entities;
- Associate Professor John Cullen, a practising geriatrician with 30 years’ experience in the hospital and residential aged care sectors with a particular interest in dementia support in remote and rural areas;
- William (Uncle Benny) Hodges is a Torres Strait Islander man from Waanyi Garawa Bam Le Kulkalgal Nation, has more than 30 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs, and was recently named ACT NAIDOC 2024 Elder of the Year, and
- Russell Westacott was Chief Executive Officer at Seniors Rights Service (SRS) and Director of Client Services at AIDS Council of NSW
Returning Council members are:
- Council Chair, Anne Burgess AM,
- Val Fell OAM,
- Gillian Groom AO,
- James Carey,
- Lynette Cullinane,
- Gwenda Darling,
- Dr John Davis,
- Anna Harrison AM, JP,
- Julie Rankin, and
- Lynda Whiteway.
Council members serve two-year terms.