Blog: The Brain Dialogues, filtered by tag: Community

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au This week at CHeBA we are Team Dr Claire Burley; an adventure-addicted scientist who is passionate about raising awareness of dementia and other brain health related conditions. At midday on Saturday, 8th June, Dr Burley will begin 24 hours of pushing her body to extreme limits in the OCRWC Enduro (Obstacle Course Racing World Championships) in Sydney, Australia. Her goal with this event is to raise money for CHeBA while promoting evidence-based awareness that physical activity has a direct and positive impact on brain health. “I have several… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au According to the Australian Government’s Institute of Family Studies website, Australia's older population reflects significant cultural diversity due to post-war immigration policies, with 36% of 65+ year olds having been born overseas (compared to 24% of people under 65 years old) (ABS, 2012b). Among the older immigrants, 25% in 2011 were from non-Anglo countries, compared with 12% from the UK and Ireland. Australia's older population will become increasingly culturally diverse, with weakening dominance of immigrants from European countries. Support… Read More

DR VIBEKE CATTS and HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au CHeBA’s Older Australian Twins Study Co-ordinator, Dr Vibeke Catts, has joined over 13,000 Cycling Without Age volunteers world-wide in piloting purpose-built trishaws, which provide seniors the opportunity to get into the outdoors and (again) experience wind in their hair.  A generous private donation to Montefiore Randwick provided the funds to purchase a trishaw. Throughout 2018, Mr Adrian Boss from BIKEast worked alongside Montefiore’s Leisure & Lifestyle and Volunteers departments to train volunteer pilots and get the… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au The Worshipful Master from Lodge Harold Herman Unity, Very Worshipful Brother Mark Arenson, presented a $4,000 cheque to Ms Angie Russell, CHeBA’s Centre Manager, on 26 September 2018 at the Laurelbank Masonic Centre in Willoughby. Very Worshipful Brother Mark Arenson said he was delighted with the funds raised at their inaugural trivia night on Saturday, 11 August and felt it was important for community groups to learn more about dementia and support advances in research.   “This was the first time we had applied for a MasoniCare grant,” Lodge… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au More than 600 guests attended the Inaugural Charity Ball 2018, presented by the Ferrari Club Australia NSW/ACT at The Star on 8th September, which raised funds for research at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).  Professor Henry Brodaty, Co-Director of CHeBA, was the guest speaker at the charity ball,which was presented by Ferrari Club Australia NSW/ACT President Frank Cavasinni, with assistance from NSW State Representative Simon Maxwell and H&H Event Manager Kerry Harman. “It was a privilege to be involved in this event,”… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au Proceeds from the sale of a rich body of artwork by Sydney-based painter Naomi Lewis, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2013 and passed away in 2017, have been donated to research at UNSW Sydney’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). “Clearly this cause is an important one for me,” said Michelle McEwing, daughter of Naomi Lewis and coordinator of the art show held at the Ewart Gallery, Workshop Arts Centre in Willoughby. Mum’s great passions were her family, her community and painting. She would have wanted her final show to benefit a… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au In 1964, 34 year old Sydney-based painter Naomi Lewis was a proud finalist of the Archibald Prize.  50 years later in 2013, and with a history of her distinctive free-form art hanging throughout many Australian buildings including the Qantas first class lounges, The Hyatt in Canberra and St Vincent’s Hospital, this talented artist was diagnosed with vascular dementia. Last year, the artist - Naomi Lewis - passed away, leaving behind a rich body of work which will furnish an exhibition in her honour at the Ewart Gallery, Workshop Arts Centre in… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au At the age of just 61, a mother of three adoring children and seven beautiful grandchildren was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.  Her specialist physician was CHeBA Co-Director Professor Henry Brodaty.  A mere five years on and this loving Mum, Suellen Grellman,  is now living in a high care nursing home and requires assistance with everything that she does, including eating and drinking.  Understandably, Suellen’s daughter, Sarah Holmes, has found this journey tough.  “Watching my vibrant, confident, intelligent Mum deal and… Read More

HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au One of the fundraising highlights of the year for The Dementia Momentum® was the launch of the Wipeout Dementia® campaign; a four week strength for surfing training program culminating in a Surf Off tournament between corporate competitors. Spokesman for The Dementia Momentum®, Richard Grellman AM, said the event was an extraordinary success and credited the participants for their dedication to raising awareness and for their fundraising efforts. The four week event, sponsored by Watson Mangioni Lawyers, is in honour of Richard Grellman’s wife… Read More

KATE SWAFFER, Co-Chair, Dementia Alliance International This article was originally published in ADI's newsletter, Global Perspective, March 2015 Vol. 25(1). Dementia Alliance International (DAI) is the first global group, of, by and for people with dementia, where membership will remain exclusive to people with dementia.  Dementia Advocacy and Support Network International (DASNI) was the first organisation set up in 2001 by people with dementia; however membership of DASNI did not remain exclusive to people with dementia and two thirds of their membership is now comprised of people who… Read More