2026 Paul Johnson Positive Ageing Award

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The Paul Johnson Award presented by BallyCara returns to celebrate outstanding individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in promoting positive ageing for older Australians.

Nominations for the Paul Johnson Award are now closed.

Honouring Leadership in Positive Ageing

The Paul Johnson Positive Ageing Award celebrates outstanding individuals in the aged care sector who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in promoting positive ageing for older Australians.

Named in memory of Paul Johnson OAM, a visionary leader whose dedication to reablement, health, and wellness transformed aged care, this award recognises those who, like Paul, are committed to ensuring that age is never a barrier to living well. Paul, who passionately pursued healthy active ageing at not-for-profit aged care provider BallyCara, was posthumously awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in January 2025 for his services to aged welfare.

Award & Recognition

Prize: $1,500 award sponsored by BallyCara
Presentation: The award will be presented by Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman of BallyCara, as part of the final session of day 1 at the Positive Ageing Summit 2026

Eligibility & Criteria

The award is open to individuals working within the aged care sector, specifically those employed by an aged care provider or aged care provider service.

Applicants must demonstrate:

• Exceptional leadership in driving initiatives that champion positive ageing.
• Tangible impact in enhancing the wellbeing, independence, and dignity of older Australians.
• Innovation in reablement, health, wellness, or aged care practices.
• Vision for the future, with clear strategies to expand or sustain their contributions.

Applicants are required to submit a structured application that includes:

• Personal journey (150 words) – A brief overview of their aged care career and personal commitment to positive ageing.
• Program summary (500 words) – A detailed description of their initiative, project, or body of work.
• Impact (250 words) – Measurable outcomes and demonstrated benefits for older Australians.
• Future actions (150 words) – Plans for sustaining and scaling the initiative or contribution.
• Supporting references (100 words) – Testimonials or endorsements from colleagues, partners, or those directly impacted.

Applicants will be assessed based on:

All applications will be reviewed by a panel of industry leaders, ensuring a rigorous and fair process:

• Process – Each panellist independently reviews and scores applications (1-5 per criteria + overall score). The panel then convenes to select finalists and the award recipient.
• Integrity – Panel members will only assess applications where no conflict of interest exists.

Nominations Close

Monday, 6 April 2026
Email info@positiveageingsummit.com.au for more information.

Associate Professor Tanya Davison is 2026 Paul Johnson Award Winner

Dr Davison is director of research discovery at in-home health and aged care provider Silverchain Group, where she established a program that translates positive ageing into practical home care models and co-designed the first mental health care model for the Australian in-home aged care setting.

Dr Davison thanked the other finalists, saying she was “very inspired” to be among “those doing such amazing work in the field. “I’d also like to acknowledge the summit as well. It’s so important… for us to have a forum like this where we can really discuss and have deep conversations about what it means to age well – not just in years but to age with dignity, with social connection and with purpose,” Dr Davison told delegates.

“And it’s so wonderful to hear all of the practical examples that I’ve heard today already. I’m really looking forward to being inspired tomorrow as well.”

With a background in psychology, Dr Davison said she has a particular interest in the mental health of older people.

“I think the work that we’re all doing collectively to help people to age well means that hopefully we can make a difference and help people to age successfully.”

2026 Paul Johnson Award Finalists

L to R: Dr Jennie Hewitt, Sabine Tollis, Dr Tanya Davison (Winner) and Ballycara’s Executive Chairman, Marcus Riley