Aged Care Symposium

The Aged Care Symposium is a one‑day, in‑person event bringing together in‑home aged care and community organisations from the Illawarra, Inner Sydney, Western Sydney, and the Central Coast.

Participants will attend their local regional hub, with all hubs connected online to create a shared symposium experience across NSW. The symposium focuses on the practical realities of aged care reform, providing an opportunity for providers to explore common challenges, share evidence‑informed practice, and strengthen regional collaboration.

The online sessions will feature a keynote address from Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Henry Brodaty AO, an address from The Hon. Jodie Harrison MP and Jean Kittson. Together, they will offer valuable insights and perspectives shaping the future of aged care in Australia.

After Lunch and during our local hub we will have a presentation From Kathy Eagar AM; The Illawarra Shoalhaven journey from aged care assessment to aged care service. where Kathy will delve into the recent results from a Community Industry Group Study. This Study notes that Nearly half (47%) of the people in our region assessed and approved for aged care between 2022 and 2026 did not receive any aged care services at all.

* Professor Henry Brodaty AO is an internationally recognised leader in dementia research, ageing, and mental health. A Scientia Professor at UNSW Sydney and Co‑Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), he has shaped global understanding of dementia prevention, diagnosis, and care. Named 2026 Senior Australian of the Year for his contributions to ageing and dementia research, Professor Brodaty continues to influence policy, practice, and community awareness across Australia and internationally.

* The Honorable Jodie Elizabeth Harrison has been the Member for Charlestown since 2014. In 2023, she became NSW Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in the Minns Labor Government.

Jean is an author, public speaker, actor and comedian. Jean came to national attention on ABC TV’s, THE BIG GIG, followed by LET THE BLOOD RUN FREE, KITTSON FAHEY, GOOD NEWS WEEK, THE GLASSHOUSE, FLAT CHAT, THE EINSTEIN FACTOR, and many more.

*Kathy Eagar is an Honorary Professor of Health Services Research at the University of New South Wales and an Adjunct Professor at the Queensland University of Technology. I am also director of my private consulting, evaluation and advisory company. I was the inaugural Professor of Health Services Research and Foundation Director of the Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) at the University of Wollongong, positions I held from 1997 until my retirement from the University of Wollongong at the beginning of 2023. More recently, I led the design of the AN-ACC, the national aged care funding model, and worked as an adviser to the Aged Care Royal Commission on aged care staff ratios and five star public reporting. I am currently working on a range of research and development projects across health and aged care.