Parkinson’s NSW Symposium 2026

Parkinson’s NSW is hosting a free Parkinson’s Symposium at the Masonic Centre, Sydney, on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.

This symposium will bring together leading clinicians, researchers and health professionals from across Australia to share current knowledge and practical insights into Parkinson’s. Topics will cover advances in care and treatment, emerging research and approaches that support quality of life for people living with Parkinson’s and those who support them.

The program is designed to be informative, accessible and relevant, offering the opportunity to hear from respected experts, take part in discussions, and connect with others with an interest in Parkinson’s care and support.

We are delighted to welcome Professor Carolyn Sue as Master of Ceremonies, Kinghorn Chair, Neurodegeneration, Chair of the National Parkinson's Alliance, AM, MBBS PhD, FRACP

The program will also include a panel discussion on the value of involving people living with Parkinson’s in research to improve outcomes, featuring both researchers and community members with lived experience.

Speakers:

Professor Glenda Halliday
Professor Grant Dewson
Ashley Young
Colleen Kerr/Christina Samy/Anneke Duyvestyn
Dr Diana Zhang
Associate Professor Richard Gordon
Craig Hewat
Erica Rose

Event details

Date: Tuesday, 31 March 2026
Location: Masonic Centre, Sydney
66 Goulburn Street, Sydney

Places are limited, and registration is required. This annual symposium is popular, and early registration is encouraged.

For enquiries, please contact Parkinson’s NSW on (02) 8051 1900 or email Christine McGee at christine.mcgee@parkinsonsnsw.org.au.

Below is a draft agenda for the Symposium, which will be updated as confirmed

9.15 am	Registration Tea & Coffee
Time	Topic	Speaker
9.45 am - 10.00 am	Opening the Symposium & Welcome	Mary Kay Walker, CEO, Parkinson's NSW
	Opening Remarks from the Chair of the Board	Andy Esteban Chair of Parkinson's NSW Board
	National Parkinson's Alliance	Richard Wylie Chief Executive Office National Parkinson's Alliance
	Master of Ceremonies Introduction	Professor Carolyn Sue Kinghorn Chair, Neurodegeneration, AM, MBBS PhD, FRACP Chair National Parkinson's Alliance
10.00 am - 11.00 am	ASAP - new international programs uncovering the roots of PD Harnessing collaboration to ad vance new Parkinson's therapies and diagnostics	Professor Glenda Halliday Neuroscientist Professor Grant Dewson, Research Scientist
11.00 am - 11.30 am	Finding Power Within - Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease	Ashley Young Clinical Neuropsychologist and Generalist Psychologist
11.30 am - 12.00 pm	Digital Health and VR shaping a new world in Allied Health	Craig Hewat Director and Physiotherapist, Engage VR Rehab
12.00 pm - 12.30 pm	Innovations in Home-based Swallowing Management – Introducing BiSSkApp	Colleen Kerr/Christina Samy Speech Pathologists, Optimal SP Anneke Duyvestyn Clinical Specialist, Swaltech NZ
12.30 pm - 1.15 pm	LUNCH
1.15 pm - 1.45 pm	Dance for Parkinson's	Dr Erica Rose Jeffrey PhD Founding Teacher, Director Dance for Parkinson's Australia
1.45 pm - 2.15 pm	Unlocking Precision Brain Health Care with AI	Dr Diana Zhang Founder & CEO, Preview Health
2.15 pm - 2.30 pm	Afternoon tea
2.30 pm - 3.30 pm	Discussion Panel: Progress, Power and Proof: Are We Truly Partnering with People Living with Parkinson’s? Panel Members: A/Prof Richard Gordon Dr Diana Zhang Dr Eric Rose Jeffrey Susan Mercer Craig James Paula Argyropoulos Carol Brazel	Panel Chair: Associate Professor Richard Gordon PhD DABT, Program Lead, Translational Neuroscience & Therapeutics Program Dr Diana Zhang Founder & CEO, Preview Health Dr Eric Rose PhD Founding Teacher, Director, Dance for Parkinson's Australia Clinical Nurse Consultant Person with PD Person with PD Carer
3.30 pm - 4.00 pm	Wrap Up and Close	MC Professor Carolyn Sue

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