Program Overview

We’re hard at work building an exceptional program for the Positive Ageing Summit 2025. Our aim is to bring you an agenda filled with impactful sessions, leading experts, and practical workshops that will provide evidence-based strategies that aged care professionals can adopt to meet the growing demand for independence modifying and high-quality, person-centred care as recommended by the aged care royal commission and at the centre of incoming aged care policy. See our current program below.

Be the first to hear about the latest updates by registering your interest in the form below as we finalise the details to deliver a program that will inspire, inform, and equip you with the tools to make a real difference in the sector.

Day 1 Program

Wednesday 28 May 2025

8:00am	REGISTRATION AND SHOWCASE NETWORKING INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS
8:50am – 9:00am	WELCOME TO COUNTRY Jessica Adamson, Emcee
9:00am – 9:15am	Welcome: Opening remarks for Positive Ageing Summit by emcee Jessica Adamson and Deidre McGill, Chief Operating Officer Home & Community Support, Bolton Clarke
9:15am – 10:00am	Holistic Approach to Healthy Ageing Justin Keogh, Associate Professor, Bond University Explore how exercise science for older adults has evolved—from landmark research and global guidelines to current uptake trends—while emphasizing how reablement and restorative care improve outcomes and reduce strain on the health system.
10:00am – 10:30am	Allied Health and Aged Care Anita Hobson-Powell, Chief Allied Health Officer, Department of Health and Aged Care Get a national snapshot of allied health today, how current reforms are shaping the sector, and the key changes needed to embed reablement and wellness into everyday aged care.
10:30am – 11:00am	NETWORKING MORNING TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
11:00am – 11:30am	Mobilising Till End of Life Jo Boylan, CEO, Clayton Church Homes Hear how the speaker has embedded active, healthy ageing in aged care—tackling barriers, finding what works, and driving success. The session focuses on keeping older adults active and engaged right to the end of life, and the strategies that make it possible.
11:30am – 12:30pm	Panel: Overcoming Barriers: The Allied Health Perspective This panel tackles the real-world barriers to allied health in aged care—like workforce silos, perception gaps, and funding issues—and highlights what’s actually working to overcome them. Panelists: Dr. Robert Mullins, National Podiatry Manager, Plena Healthcare Jason Skennerton, Head of Business Development, Plena Healthcare Samantha Murray, Director, Food Solutions
12:30pm – 1:00pm	Better Dying Kate Weger, National Clinical Governance Manager, HARTMANN Dignity in dying is key to person-centred care. This session shares practical ways to support older adults at end-of-life—focusing on skin care, wounds, hydration, and how a better dying experience helps both the individual and their family.
1:00pm – 2:00pm	NETWORKING LUNCH Brought to you by:
2:00pm – 2:30pm	Falls Prevention Dr Jennie Hewitt, General Manager, Clinical Research & Reablement, Whiddon Get up to speed on falls prevention—what’s working, which balance exercises are backed by evidence, and how programs like Sunbeam make a difference. Walk away with practical, proven strategies you can use right away.
2:30pm – 3:00pm	Multidisciplinary Approach Christina Wyatt, Professional Practice Advisor Aged Care, Occupational Therapy Australia See how multidisciplinary teams boost aged care outcomes with coordinated, evidence-based planning. Learn who’s involved, how referrals work, and get practical tips for providers new to this approach.
3:00pm – 3:30pm	Panel: Reducing Social Isolation Through Reablement Loneliness is a major health risk. Discover how reablement strategies can restore purpose, identity, and social participation among older adults, while overcoming common barriers and showcasing real-world examples—culminating in a call to action for a more inclusive and connected future in aged care. Panelists: Julie Hogarth-Williams, Founder, The Seniors Channel Maurie Voisey-Barlin, Creative Elder Engagement Specialist
3:30pm – 4:00pm	NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
4:00pm – 5:00pm	Panel: Reablement and Restorative Care Across the Sector The panel discussion will cover government-funded guidelines for the new Short-term Restorative Care Program under the Support at Home reform, the value of specific models in improving client outcomes, and the challenges and successes seen in real-world initiatives. The panellists will also explore the risks of inaction and the greatest opportunities for improving wellbeing and care outcomes for older adults. Moderated by: Lorraine Poulos, Managing Director, LPA Panelists: Dr Claire Gough, Research Fellow, Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA) Dr Tim Henwood, Principal Consultant, AgeFIT Solutions Simon Kerrigan, Managing Director, Guide Healthcare
5:00pm – 5:15pm	DAY ONE CLOSING ADDRESS
5:30pm – 7:30pm	WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Note: Program is subject to change

Day 2 Program

Thursday 29 May 2025

8:00am	REGISTRATION AND SHOWCASE NETWORKING INCLUDING REFRESHMENTS
8:10am	BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS \| In Conversation: Reimagining Dementia Support Through Compassion, Rights & Reablement Join a powerful and personal conversation on dementia, human rights, and wellbeing. This breakfast session brings together voices with lived experience and sector leadership to unpack the delicate balance between compassion, behaviour support, and meaningful engagement. Moderated by: Marie Alford, Head of Dementia Support Australia, HammondCare Panelists: Dr Duncan McKellar, General Manager, HammondCare Wendy Hall, Managing Director, Dementia Doulas International William (Bill) Yeates, Living Experience Associate Consultant, Dementia Support Australia additional registration required
8:50am – 9:15am	WELCOME TO DAY TWO
9:15am – 10:00am	Wellbeing and Health Literacy of Workforce Pete Williams, CEO, OneCare Kick off Day 2 with a keynote that puts health literacy at the centre of aged care success. Discover how building a more health-literate workforce can boost staff wellbeing, drive better client outcomes, and strengthen engagement in allied health and reablement. Walk away with practical strategies to create real impact.
10:00am – 10:30am	A Connected Approach to Positive Ageing – Optimising Health, Wellbeing and Engagement Dr Rajna Ogrin, Senior Research Fellow, Bolton Clarke Learn about Bolton Clarke’s approach to positive ageing and holistic wellbeing, focusing on healthy ageing through core areas aligned with COTA and municipal councils. Discover their wide-ranging care activities across Australia, building on national and international efforts to support healthy ageing.
10:30am – 11:00am	NETWORKING MORNING TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
11:00am – 11:30am	Tech & Positive Ageing Merlin Kong, Founder, Youtopient Delve into the evolution of technology in aged care, with a focus on allied health, reablement, and restorative care. Discover key digital innovations that have transformed the sector, their positive impact, and what the future holds.
11:30am – 12:00pm	Nutrition Melissa Ruffa, National Foodservice Manager, Food Solutions Unpack the critical role of nutrition in reablement and restorative care. This talk will highlight the often-overlooked nutritional considerations, explore key barriers and benefits, and showcase how the Aged Care Quality Standards and Support at Home reform are driving positive change in the sector.
12:00pm – 12:30pm	Turning Frailty Around Dr Chris Bollen, Director, Bollen Health Gain practical insights into tackling frailty and sarcopenia in aged care. This session shares lessons from a PHN-led initiative supporting GPs, and outlines real-world strategies and solutions for embedding reablement into everyday practice.
12:30pm – 1:30pm	NETWORKING LUNCH including exhibitor showcase, lunch and refreshments
1:30pm – 2:30pm	Panel: Retirement Living, Environment, and Independence How can the retirement living sector drive healthier, more independent ageing? This panel brings together experts to unpack the role of environment, resistance training, reablement services, and wellness clinics in helping older adults thrive—and what’s at stake if we don’t act. Panelists: Daniel Gannon, Executive Director, Retirement Living Council Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman, Research Lead, Area Manager, HUR Australia David Moran, CEO, Southern Cross Care (SA, NT & VIC)
2:30pm – 3:00pm	Panel: The Consumer Perspective Get a powerful consumer take on what aged care gets right—and where it falls short. This session spotlights how allied health, reablement, and restorative care can truly support older adults to start strong, stay engaged, and age well. Panelists: Anne Burgess, Chair of the Council of Elders, Department of Health and Aged Care Judith Leeson, Director, Vector Consultants
3:00pm – 3:30pm	Department of Health and Aged Care
3:30pm – 4:00pm	NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
4:00pm – 4:30pm	Bringing It All Together for Positive Ageing Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman, BallyCara The final session of the Positive Ageing Summit 2025 brings it all together—spotlighting what’s working, what needs to change, and how wellness-driven care can reshape aged care. Leave inspired to lead with purpose, drive real impact, and champion better outcomes for older Australians.
4:30pm – 4:45pm	PAUL JOHNSON POSITIVE AGEING AWARD Presented by: Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman
4:45pm – 5:00pm	CLOSING ADDRESS
5:00pm	CONFERENCE CLOSE