The Australian Government is pleased to announce new members for the Aged Care Council of Elders.
In January 2025, continuing Council Chair, Anne Burgess AM, will be joined by 4 new members:
- Professor Ponniah Anandajayasekeram, PhD (Dr Ananda), resides in Melbourne and is Board Chair of the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre in Victoria. He volunteers at a number of organisations that enable older people to partner with multicultural entities to progress community-based issues.
- Associate Professor John Cullen is a practising geriatrician based in Sydney. He has 30 years’ experience in the hospital and residential aged care sectors. His particular interest is in dementia support programs and care in remote and rural regions.
- Mr William (Uncle Benny) Hodges is a Torres Strait Islander man from Waanyi Garawa Bam Le Kulkalgal Nation, and a respected Elder living in the ACT. He has more than 30 years’ experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs and was recently named ACT NAIDOC 2024 Elder of the Year.
- Mr Russell Westacott resides in Marulan NSW and was Chief Executive Officer at Seniors Rights Service (SRS), and Director of Client Services at AIDS Council of NSW. SRS was active in the advocacy network that led to creation of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN).
Returning council members are:
- Val Fell OAM
- Gillian Groom AO
- James Carey
- Lynette Cullinane
- Gwenda Darling
- Dr John Davis
- Anna Harrison AM, JP
- Julie Rankin
- Lynda Whiteway.
Members are active in their local communities, engaging and gathering insights about people’s real life experiences of ageing and aged care. The council values this feedback and it informs their advice to government.
The Council of Elders was established in response to recommendation 9 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety final report.
See more information about the Aged Care Council of Elders.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
“I deeply value the advice given to me by The Council of Elders. Their willingness to be frank and collaborative has had a genuine impact on our aged care reform.
“I look forward to continuing to work with the council to deliver the Aged Care Act and Support at Home program, and equally as importantly, to communicate with older people about what the reforms mean for them.
“The council’s advice on our reform reflects their unique, real-life experience of ageing and aged care. I am grateful for their valuable advice as we’ve worked to build a better aged care system for all older people.
“I thank outgoing members Margaret Walsh OAM, Professor Tom Calma AO, and Professor John McCallum.”
Quote attributable to Chair of the Council of Elders, Anne Burgess AM:
“I am honoured to continue as Chair of the Council of Elders in 2025.
“As a group, we are committed to ensuring the voices of older people are heard and considered in the reforms to aged care, and that advice based on lived experience is provided to government.
“I look forward to working alongside our new and returning members this year as we continue to provide well considered, on the ground advice about what matters most to older people.
“I would like to express my thanks for the contribution of those members whose terms have come to an end. Margaret Walsh OAM, Professor Tom Calma AO and Professor John McCallum, your dedication to making a positive difference for current and future generations of older people is incredible. It has been an honour to work with you.”