Blog: The Brain Dialogues

31 Oct 2023

Better Brains, Better Bodies, Better Ageing

​ HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au More than 500 seniors filled the auditorium at The Juniors in Kingsford to discover the intrinsic links between their brains, bodies and better ageing. The annual event held on 25 October, was hosted by South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Older Persons’ Mental Health Service, in partnership with Randwick City Council and the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).  With people over the age of 65 now outweighing people under the age of 15, the theme of this year’s public event was Better Brains, Better Bodies Better Ageing, which enticed… Read More
26 Sep 2023

Advocates for healthy ageing through Sydney Marathon

PJ Lane
PJ Lane, CHeBA Ambassador
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au In a bid to address the escalating number of people living with dementia, PJ Lane - son of TV legend Don Lane – and four corporate teams took on this year’s Sydney Marathon, raising much needed dollars for dementia research while promoting the benefits of physical activity throughout life to reduce risk of dementia.  CHeBA Ambassador PJ Lane ran his first ever Marathon and led the charge as highest individual fundraiser with $9,279 raised for research.  Senior executives from Henry William Lawyers, Luna Partners, Integrated Portfolio Solutions and… Read More
11 Sep 2023

Keys to Better Ageing: Free Seniors Event

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The South Eastern Sydney Local Health District’s Older Persons’ Mental Health Service based at Prince of Wales Hospital, in partnership with Randwick City Council, is set to hold its annual forum for the senior community on Wednesday, 25 October, with this year’s theme ‘Better Brains, Better Bodies, Better Ageing’. The free event, held from 10am to 1pm at The Juniors, Kingsford aligns with this year’s Alzheimer’s Disease International World Alzheimer’s Report message, that up to 40% of projected dementia cases could be delayed or avoided by addressing… Read More
18 Jul 2023

A Tribute to Annette Murphy

Annette Murphy
Annette Murphy
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au In August 1932, a baby girl given the name Annette Barbara Murphy was born in Temora, New South Wales.  At age 90, following a 10-year battle with dementia, Annette passed away peacefully at Killara Gardens Aged Care.  Annette was a Piano Teacher, a lover of the arts and was blessed with a happy, fulfilling life and an adoring life partner who was with her for 57 years.  She was admired by her four children Jennifer, Peter, Debra and Justine, and a much-loved Ma-Ma to her eight grandchildren, Elliot, Lilly, Georgina, Anna, George, Julia, Aveline and… Read More
30 May 2023

PhD Students Excel at CHeBA

PhD Students Excel at CHeBA
Dr Rebecca Koncz
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The breadth of research groups and studies at CHeBA make it a leader in the global epidemiology of dementia, with the data available making the Centre a rich resource for not just researchers, but also students.  According to the Co-Directors of CHeBA, Professor Perminder Sachdev and Professor Henry Brodaty, the calibre of students the Centre has supported has been outstanding.  Recent PhD graduate, Dr Rebecca Koncz, is no exception. Dr Koncz led a world first study using data from CHeBA’s long-standing Older Australian Twins Study, using a brain… Read More

The Keys to Growing Old Well

The Keys to Growing Old Well
Mrs Patricia Segal
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Across the globe, people are fascinated and intrigued by centenarians – the group of incredible human beings that defy the odds and live to 100 and beyond.  Over the last 20 years, the number of Australians who were living to over 85 years of age has risen by 110%; an extraordinary increase and begs the question as to whether this trajectory will continue. Sydney near-centenarian Mrs Patricia Segal is the hallmark of positive ageing. She is a participant in CHeBA’s Sydney Centenarian Study which explores the genetic and environmental determinants of… Read More
27 Apr 2023

Change Makers | Marina Oliveira

Development Coordinator, UNSW Medicine & Health, Marina Oliveira, is a proud member of the CHeBA Change Makers - Next Gen Philanthropy program. Change Makers are an exclusive group of next generation philanthropists aged 18-40 who are supporting critical research into Alzheimer's disease and other dementias for a brighter future in ageing.   What does it mean to you personally to be a ‘philanthropist’? Personally, for me it’s about contributing to the community and the world for a better future. Although I am neither a doctor nor in a position to have a significant impact on the world… Read More
2 Nov 2022

Ageing With Resilience

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au For the first time in three years, seniors from across Sydney were able to attend an in-house version of the Eastern Suburbs Older Persons’ Mental Health Service’s annual forum which seeks to encourage a paradigm shift in the approach to ageing. The official opening of the Secrets of Ageing with Resilience forum was made by Deputy Chair of the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) Dr Debra Graves, who acknowledged the importance of the theme and its relationship to positive mental health promoting healthy communities. Professor Henry… Read More

The Reality of Dementia - A Daughter's Perspective, with Francesca Wood

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au After losing her Mum to dementia in May 2020, Francesca Wood has a vision for society to address dementia the way we approach cancer, and for people to take their brain health as seriously as their physical health.  Following the first signs, it took nearly five years for Mrs Helen Reading to be diagnosed with vascular dementia.   According to Francesca, there was initially a lot of denial that anything was wrong, despite all signs pointing towards dementia.  “Watching the essence of Mum slowly disappear and not recognising me or my two daughters… Read More

The Reality of Dementia - A Grandson's Perspective

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Jackson Skirka, adoring Grandson of 75-year-old Marlene and lawyer with Henry William Lawyers in Sydney, wants his Nan to know that he’ll always be there to support her through her Alzheimer’s journey, and do everything in his capacity to ensure she feels happy, safe and loved.  Jackson, who visits his Nan in the dementia ward of Belrose Nursing Home every few weeks, acknowledges how challenging the dementia journey is – for the individual, for carers and family members.  “My beautiful Nan was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease about 3 years ago.  “… Read More