Dementia Australia Advisory Committee

Bobby is a retired psychologist, living on the Central Coast of NSW. Bobby who was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, in 2015, is passionate about her consumer advocacy work. She is Chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee, sits on the Central Coast Dementia Alliance Committee and chairs the Central Coast Living with Dementia Advisory Group. She is involved in several research projects, sitting on a range of Steering/Advisory Committees.

Bobby is a strong Community Member and is also a Rotarian and Red Cross Volunteer. In 2020, Bobby was nominated for the NSW Senior Australian of the Year award.

Dennis was born in country NSW in the mid-1950s and is old enough to have witnessed the Luna Landing in 1969 but young enough to have avoided conscription. He has had a variety of careers, working in Education, Petroleum Exploration, and IT for more than 20 years.

At 59 he was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia. In 2014 he became involved in the Dementia Friendly Kiama Pilot and was elected chair of the Advisory Group. He is an active advocate for all with dementia. Dennis is Vice-Chair of the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee.

Ann has been an advocate for Dementia Australia for many years. She has attended consumer summits, contributed to media activity, and supported many events and activities in Adelaide.

Ann is also a member of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation Scientific Panel, ADNet Registry Steering Committee, and OPAN National Older People’s Reference Group. She has a special interest in dementia research and in quality dementia care.

Ann trained as a general nurse and midwife and later gained a Bachelor Degree in Applied Science - Nursing Administration with a special interest in gerontology. Ann was 59 when she was diagnosed with younger onset dementia – Alzheimer’s. It now appears that she has Lewy Body Dementia. Ann is happy to share her insights with a view to helping others understand dementia.

Juanita has a strong family history of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD); from her grandfather, and his older brother; her father, his brothers, and a sister; and Juanita herself as she was diagnosed in 2019. Juanita had extensive involvement in scientific research into bvFTD and it led to Juanita’s academic interest. In addition to the research degree Juanita completed before her diagnosis, she has now completed a Graduate Certificate in Diagnostic Genomics, to better understand genetic dementia diagnosis.

She is also part of the OPAN National Older Persons Reference Group. In addition to this, Juanita has established a dementia friendly alliance in her community - the Western Brisbane Dementia Alliance and is busy making Dementia Friends of young and old.

Natalie Ive’s academic achievements include a Masters in special education and a dual award degree in political science. Natalie has extensive experience in both mainstream and special education settings, spanning over 15 + years. 

Natalie sits on the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee and is a member of the board of directors for the Australia Aphasia Association and most recently was appointed to represent Australia on the Alzheimer's Disease International Dementia Global Expert Panel. These roles allow Natalie to advocate for all people living with dementia. 

Natalie was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia in 2021, a language led dementia where word finding and communication are the earliest and most prominent signs. Natalie has been involved in guiding multiple research projects and her most recent achievement is the development of the Primary Progressive Aphasia Guide, co-authored with key researchers and clinicians in the field.

Before he became a Dementia Advocate, Steve and his wife owned a corporate travel management company. Based out of WA, Steve’s father as well as both of his siblings passed away from Alzheimer’s disease. 

He has been involved in a number of research studies. Steve joined the Dementia Australia Advisory Committee in 2023 and brings a Western Australian perspective to the committee.

Gwenda received a dementia diagnosis in March 2013. Gwenda continues to live a full life with her dementia, even though it is changing. Gwenda advocates, as a volunteer, and provides advice and assists others in rural communities in navigating aged care services. 

Gwenda is a member of the National Older Persons Reference Group, OPAN, Council of Elders, AdNET registry steering committee member, investigator with University of Western Australia, Deakin University and QUT research grants and many other research projects and advisory groups. 

Encouraging everyone to talk about dementia, not only for the person living with the diagnosis and their family but friends, neighbours and the wider community is another integral part of her life. She hopes that communities will start accepting and supporting those living with dementia to continue to live well in their own homes as long as possible. 

As a Palawa mother, grandmother, and great grandmother her family support her and accept their responsibilities to ensure Gwenda is adequately cared for in the community.

Nell lives in Port Macquarie, NSW. She lives independently with the support of her carers and standard poodle Miguel. 

Nell has 2 beautiful children and her gorgeous grandbaby Oscar.

Nell was diagnosed with Alzheimers in 2020 at the age of 51.

Nell has extensive experience and expertise of over 30 years in the aged care and disability sectors starting out as a disability support worker then a trainer and assessor and finally becoming a service provider with her then husband who continues to run their business Freedom Adventures and Respites Services today.

Nell joined the Dementia Advocates program at Dementia Australia just after her diagnosis in early 2020 and is a very active member.